Brings Players Together

‘The Cowley Method’ became a cartoon at Lincoln, it developed its own meaning. Togetherness, team spirit and preparation were the main axis around which it revolved. He brought in the right players, players who were honest and could fight, and ensured they had a good blend of youth and experience. Crucially, he used the nucleus of the side from 2015/16 for success in 2016/17 – leading scorer Matt Rhead, captain Luke Waterfall, keeper Paul Farman and full-back Bradley Wood were all already at the club. He could work with some of the tools he had, but he developed them, made them fit his pattern. There are good players at Sunderland, even players like George Dobson who has been criticised could thrive under Cowley. In fact, Dobson would be a big player for Cowley as not only is he former West Ham, but he is the sort of midfield player he would revolutionise (see Alex Woodyard).