Sunderland boss O'Neill's tells on-loan striker Bendtner: 'Make me love you'

[graphex]

Striker Nicklas Bendtner may have had the backing of former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who wanted to sign him permanently, but he is finding Martin O’Neill a far tougher boss to please.

Of course, allegedly bouncing on parked cars in the shadow of St James’ Park was no way to impress the new man in charge. And especially as Bendtner was then ruled out of O’Neill’s first match against Blackburn, having made little impression in the defeat at Wolves which his boss watched from the stands.

After Bendtner and captain Lee Cattermole had ‘celebrated’ O’Neill’s inauguration with a night that ended with them on police bail and under investigation for criminal damage, both were left out of the side which lost at Tottenham. Cattermole is likely to be missing again at Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday.

The criminal investigations are expected to continue into February. ‘The police have to finish their inquiries, it’s a very serious issue and one that won’t be overlooked by the club,’ said O’Neill yesterday.

Connor Wickham, selected ahead of Bendtner on Sunday, is suffering from fluid on a knee and is doubtful for the trip to Loftus Road, and Fraizer Campbell is not quite fit to return.

That means O’Neill will be hoping Denmark striker Bendtner, who has scored just two goals since joining on loan from Arsenal, will start to justify his £85,000-a-week wages.

O’Neill said: ‘He is pretty popular in the dressing room. I just want him to be popular in the manager’s office as well. How does he do that? Win us football matches. And behave himself. Then he will be really popular with me.

Sunderland boss O'Neill's tells on-loan striker Bendtner: 'Make me love you'

By Colin Young

Last updated at 10:58 PM on 20th December 2011

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Striker Nicklas Bendtner may have had the backing of former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who wanted to sign him permanently, but he is finding Martin O’Neill a far tougher boss to please.

Of course, allegedly bouncing on parked cars in the shadow of St James’ Park was no way to impress the new man in charge. And especially as Bendtner was then ruled out of O’Neill’s first match against Blackburn, having made little impression in the defeat at Wolves which his boss watched from the stands.

After Bendtner and captain Lee Cattermole had ‘celebrated’ O’Neill’s inauguration with a night that ended with them on police bail and under investigation for criminal damage, both were left out of the side which lost at Tottenham. Cattermole is likely to be missing again at Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday.
Time to shine: Nicklas Bendtner needs to prove himself to Martin O'Neill

Time to shine: Nicklas Bendtner needs to prove himself to Martin O'Neill


The criminal investigations are expected to continue into February. ‘The police have to finish their inquiries, it’s a very serious issue and one that won’t be overlooked by the club,’ said O’Neill yesterday.

Connor Wickham, selected ahead of Bendtner on Sunday, is suffering from fluid on a knee and is doubtful for the trip to Loftus Road, and Fraizer Campbell is not quite fit to return.

That means O’Neill will be hoping Denmark striker Bendtner, who has scored just two goals since joining on loan from Arsenal, will start to justify his £85,000-a-week wages.

O’Neill said: ‘He is pretty popular in the dressing room. I just want him to be popular in the manager’s office as well. How does he do that? Win us football matches. And behave himself. Then he will be really popular with me.

‘Arsenal were prepared to let him go for the season, so this is a fantastic opportunity for him to prove himself in the Premier League. I have not had this conversation with Nicklas, but if he is doing really well for us and would love to stay, that would be fantastic. He has until the end of the season to prove he is capable of doing it.

‘Centre forwards get all the glory. If you are capable of scoring goals you will become pretty popular at this club. It is what the fans are crying out for. Someone like Nicklas can get a few goals and that would breed a bit of confidence.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1h7dpM3uL

[T_Bone]

They weren't celebrating MON's inauguration my bet is they were sulking over the sacking of their mate and mentor and I'm being serious.
Disgraceful if true.

[The Good Sir]

Originally Posted by graphex

Of course, allegedly bouncing on parked cars in the shadow of St James’ Park was no way to impress the new man in charge. And especially as Bendtner was then ruled out of O’Neill’s first match against Blackburn, having made little impression in the defeat at Wolves which his boss watched from the stands.

[Hank Silver]

£85k a week? Surely not.

[Joe-B]

Originally Posted by Hank Silver

£85k a week? Surely not.

Was thinking this too.

[graphex]

Aren't you glad we didn't buy him...

[abbs]

so mon basically saying get your finger out billy big bollocks

[---Nemo---]

£85k a week. Nee the wonder he's laughing at us.

[Adamoah]

See I had him down as a decent signing when it was first confirmed but now he's gone down as another Bruce transfer cock up.

He isn't interested, he's shite, bad attitude, he's the only striker in the world who hugs the touchline and he's deluded.

[graphex]

Originally Posted by ---Nemo---

£85k a week. Nee the wonder he's laughing at us.

Surely the Arse are paying some of that???


Even so...