Wilson Isidor responds to Jamie Carragher before making Brian Brobbey request to Régis Le Bris
Wilson Isidor has responded to Jamie Carragher’s Sunderland prediction and revealed his desire to play alongside Brian Brobbey
Wilson Isidor has delivered a cheeky response to Jamie Carragher after the former Liverpool defender predicted Sunderland will finish bottom of the Premier League this season.
Isidor came off the bench to score the winner against Fulham at the Stadium of Light, securing Sunderland’s first victory of the campaign after a difficult opening-day defeat to Ipswich. The striker was then asked about predictions that Régis Le Bris’ side could suffer from second-season syndrome after exceeding expectations last term.
Isidor believes one of Sunderland’s biggest strengths is that the club have retained the core of the squad that performed so well last season. He also wants the Black Cats to prove that their success was not a one-off and believes Sunderland should be looking towards the upper reaches of the Premier League rather than worrying about survival.
“People can think about that, but the most important thing that the club showed is they kept the same players who were there last year, and that's a big, big point from the club that people don't realize,” Isidor said after Sunderland’s game against Fulham.
“We want to show everybody that last season was not a miracle, and Sunderland are really strong and proud to be in the Premier League, and deserve also to be in the Premier League. So we want to keep our level like that and to show that the place of Sunderland is in the Premier League and in the upper part of the ranking.”
Carragher was among those to offer a considerably less optimistic prediction before the new season, tipping Sunderland to finish bottom during Sky Sports’ coverage. When that verdict was put directly to Isidor after the Fulham win, his response was clear: “I don't know Jamie Carragher. If I don't know, I don't have to listen to him.”
Isidor was then asked whether Sunderland could finish in the top half this season and could not resist another play reference to former Liverpool and England man Carragher. With a smile on his face, Isidor added: “Depending on what Carragher says, right?”
There was a more serious message underneath the humour. Sunderland were below their best for significant periods against Fulham, but improved after Le Bris turned to his bench, with Habib Diarra and Isidor combining for the decisive goal.
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“Every win is big. Every win is big, but as I say, the reaction was the most important for us and more in front of our fans. I just want to score goals. I don't put a target. Now I’ve reached some maturity and confidence also to keep it maybe for myself. And we're going to see, but my goals are high.”
There could also be another dimension to Sunderland’s attack if Le Bris decides to pair Isidor with Brian Brobbey. The two forwards have generally competed for the central striking role, but Isidor believes their contrasting qualities could make them an exciting partnership.
“That's the... not the dream, but a lot of people want that, and me the first. Brian is a different player than me, totally opposite, and the combination of us two can be really amazing. So that's the manager's decision. As I say, he makes his decision, but I would be really happy to play with Brian.”