Sat 29th Nov - Stadium of Light
Last updated: 4th September 2008
McCartney: Backing Curbishley
George McCartney has defended Alan Curbishley and criticised the West Ham board following his move to Sunderland.
Curbishley resigned as manager at Upton Park this week as he was dismayed by the club's transfer policy.
The sale of McCartney appeared to be the final straw for Curbishley and the Northern Ireland international admits he would have been happy to stay.
McCartney helped West Ham defeat Blackburn on Saturday before sealing a switch to the Stadium of Light 48 hours later.
"I have seen on the West Ham website I handed in a written transfer request," said McCartney.
"I never did anything of the sort. Probably the board at West Ham are trying to cover their tracks.
"I did propose that for family reasons I would like to move back north. But the manager said 'no' I wasn't leaving and just to concentrate on West Ham.
"I was happy to stay. That was on the Friday and I played my part in the Blackburn game on the Saturday.
"The thought of leaving was finished as far as I was concerned but then something changed. I got on an indication on Sunday that I could be on my way.
"These are strange times at West Ham and no-one really knows what is going on at boardroom level."
McCartney has paid tribute to Curbishley and slammed his bosses for piling so much pressure on him.
"They (the board) have not been behind Alan Curbishley since the start of the season," explained the 27-year-old.
"It was a difficult time for him - they did not trust him with any money to spend.
"I cannot understand how a manager can be under so much pressure. He saved us from relegation and we finished 10th last year. This season has been the club's best start for years.
"I loved my time under Alan Curbishley, got on well with him and never had any problems with him. West Ham was the place to be and I loved my two years there."
Despite being disappointed with the manner of his departure, McCartney is looking forward to playing under Roy Keane at Sunderland.
"Maybe I can help get Sunderland to a higher level. Certainly that is the challenge and one I am looking forward to," said the full-back.
"Roy Keane did a good job getting the team promoted and then establishing them in the Premier League.
"He asks for 100 per cent effort and commitment but that is not something I am afraid of. I am looking forward to getting started."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 6th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 13th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs West Brom |
| Saturday 20th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Sunderland |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Blackburn |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 14:00 | Everton vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| Tuesday 27th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Sunderland vs Fulham |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Stoke |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Sunderland |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Tottenham |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Liverpool vs Sunderland |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Saturday 29th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 4 Bolton | |
| Sunday 23rd November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 West Ham | |
| Saturday 15th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 12th November | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Blackburn | |
| Saturday 8th November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 1st November | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 5 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 29th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 25th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Saturday 18th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 0 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 4th October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 1 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 27th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Tuesday 23rd September | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Sunderland 2 - 2 Northampton | |
| Saturday 20th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 13th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Sunday 31st August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 3 Man City | |
| Wednesday 27th August | |
| Carling Cup | |
| Nottm Forest 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 23rd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 1 - 2 Sunderland | |
| Saturday 16th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Thursday 7th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Athlone Town 0 - 6 Sunderland | |
| Wednesday 30th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| Nottm Forest 0 - 1 Sunderland | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 15 | 15 |
| 17 | Newcastle United | 15 | 15 |
| 18 | Sunderland | 15 | 15 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 15 | 13 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 15 | 11 |
Andy Gray says there's no way you could describe Roy Keane's Sunderland reign as a failure.
Jason McAteer told Sky Sports News Roy Keane's volatile temperament made his exit inevitable.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn believes accepting Roy Keane's resignation was 'the best thing to do' for the club.
Phil Brown insists his focus is on the next two years at Hull City after he was linked with Sunderland.
Andy Gray says there's no way you could describe Roy Keane's Sunderland reign as a failure.
Jason McAteer told Sky Sports News Roy Keane's volatile temperament made his exit inevitable.
Wigan boss Steve Bruce admits he is shocked that Roy Keane has opted to quit Sunderland.