Wednesday 20 May 2015 23:08, UK
Sunderland's goalless draw at Arsenal on Wednesday was enough to secure the club's safety in the Premier League. It's also shown just why the Black Cats must keep manager Dick Advocaat, according to former Sunderland chairman and Sky Sports pundit Niall Quinn.
Appointed in March as a short-term measure, the veteran Dutchman has had a big impact with Sunderland currently on a five-match unbeaten run having kept three consecutive clean sheets - both records for their season.
And for Quinn, it represents a remarkable achievement. "This man has got the first-team organised," Quinn told Sky Sports. "He hasn't worried about anything else.
"He's worked with them on the training ground and he's guided them over the line his way. It's been a pleasure to watch because it looked lost before he came in.
"He's kept it all to himself, said very little in his interviews, he's took all the strain and he's taken the sting out of it for the players. The pressure that was on the players, he removed it. It's a remarkable effort from a great man.
"Things looked very bad six weeks ago. Dick Advocaat came in to a demoralised dressing room and a demoralised stadium. He's come in and organised them. It's been Tony Pulis-like, in that he stopped them knocking the ball around for the sake of it and got them going more direct.
"He's brought a belief into it and taken a lot of the panic and emotion out of what Sunderland do. He's very matter of fact and straight-talking and he's got them switched down a bit.
"They were very hyper, getting beat and giving the ball away. The ball was like a hot potato. He's made it easier for the players, especially at home.
"The style is important to a place like Sunderland because as much as Gus Poyet tried to get them playing a nice passing game, that didn't come off because they want to see heart and passion. That's the perfect mix. That man has it and I'd do everything I could to keep him."
Advocaat insists he will not make a decision on his future until next week but with the supporters chanting the manager’s name after the final whistle it’s clear that Sunderland fans would like the 67-year-old to stay and Quinn is in full agreement.
"I think he's perfect," added Quinn. "Sunderland needs a figure like him who commands respect and can get things out of people.
"It's a little bit old-fashioned in certain respects. He spoke about belief and confidence and wearing the shirt with pride. That's all the Sunderland fans want is a manager who can bring that.
"He's not a bluffer. He doesn't do interviews blaming others for things going wrong and he’s got a wonderful reaction from his players.
"If I was a Sunderland fan watching that I’d take a deep breath and be proud of supporting my club tonight because that man has nailed it.
"He's got the club, the players and the fans reunited after a difficult couple of years and the future looks great... if he stays."
