Lee Cattermole hopes to keep repaying new manager Martin O'Neill for the faith being shown in him after leading from the front against Man City.
Sunderland skipper thankful to manager
Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole hopes to keep repaying new manager Martin O'Neill for the faith being shown in him after leading from the front against Manchester City on Sunday.
Cattermole had faced criticism from his own supporters earlier in the season but has been an instrumental figure in the Black Cats' revival since O'Neill took charge.
He has kept hold of the skipper's armband despite recently being arrested, along with team-mate Nicklas Bendtner, and questioned over an alleged incident where cars were damaged in Newcastle close to St James' Park.
He is delighted with the relationship he has struck up with O'Neill and is now keen to go from strength to strength after starring in the shock 1-0 victory over Premier League leaders City.
Cattermole said: "I've really clicked with the manager since he came here. I had a bit of bother at the start, and he has kept me as captain and I think my performances have paid him back.
"I've had three good games on the bounce, and I'm more than confident in my own game.
"Sometimes, when things go wrong off the pitch, you have to start looking at yourself and respecting what you do a bit more. I just have to work hard and see where we go.
Natural leader
"The manager has let me get on with it in many respects because he knows what I'm like in the dressing room.
"I've captained every team I've ever played for. I've got some sort of leadership skills that managers like, it just seems to come naturally."
Cattermole admits he can understand why fans became frustrated with him when previous manager Steve Bruce was at the helm.
He said: "Under Brucie it became hard, because people started to look at me as Brucie's Boy. The fans got on his back, and then they started to get on my back a little bit as well because I was his captain.
"That was rightly so in many respects, because if the team's not performing then I should be right at the front of the queue to get a bit of stick.
"I'd have to admit we were underperforming, but things have changed a little bit now, and we're getting the results we deserve."
