"With the aura he had around this club, he was definitely the sort you'd think would go on to become a manager.

"In the short period of time he's been involved he's done great, getting Sunderland up. It's a harder task now, of course, but he's capable of doing it.

"Yeah, he used to dish out some stick but for me that was good. If I'm doing something wrong I like someone to tell me. It makes me play better. Some people are different, it makes them go into their own little bubble, but I was always fine with it. It made me concentrate more.

"Roy was someone who always got you focused on the game. He gave me plenty of b*********s in training and in games but, as I say, to me that's only right. If you're not playing up to the standards you can, and he knows you can, it's only right."

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I always want to play.

"That's the main thing. If I was here and didn't play a game then that would be completely different.

"But I can honestly say that when I have been fit I've played maybe 25-plus games a season.

"That's a good amount. When everyone is fit, I don't get on the pitch. But it's a squad game.

"Throughout my time here I've always played the same role."