Dortmund, boasting summer acquisitions Mario Gotze and Andre Schurrle in a star-studded front four, pushed for a victor to no avail as Sunderland prepared for the Premier League opener away at Manchester City on August 13 in style.
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The 25-year-old has struggled in Sunderland’s midfield since his £10million move from Manchester City two years ago.
One major positive for both the player and the manager is that Rodwell is pretty versatile, and that is particularly positive when the club is going through difficulties in terms of getting personnel on the pitch, with Sunderland not having that many options at their disposal throughout pre-season so far.
Moyes has built a reputation as a manager who is prepared to give youngsters a chance, with his 11-year spell in charge at Everton seeing him give Premier League debuts to the likes of Wayne Rooney, James Vaughan and Jack Rodwell at the age of 16, and Ross Barkley and Victor Anichebe at 17.
Moyes said: “I am a better manager now”. All the lads were asking me what he was like, and I told them he’s excellent. I think he needs to realise, ‘Come on now, you’ve got to really come up to the plate and see if you can do it.’ He’s a technically-gifted player and he needs to really get over the thoughts that his body can’t cope. Everyone has to fight for his place; I think that’s why you give everything on the pitch.
But he has proved his versatility in pre-season, filling in at right-back as well as central defence as he looks to revive his career under David Moyes.
“I think I can help the team, I can contribute, I can do well for this team”.
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The 53-year-old is still looking to add to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month but he is happy with the fitness of the players he has and their form. And for me, he knows my game more than anyone.
