'Sunderland is a special club and we're lucky to be here' - Michael Beale

Is Michael Beale finally warming to the passion - and the scrutiny that comes with it - of Sunderland? It's starting to feel like it.

Michael Beale says Sunderland is a ‘special club’ and it’s important for him and the players to never lose sight of that.

Beale’s relationship with the supporters hasn’t always been great since he was appointed head coach in December.

Much of that has been due to his communication and a demeanour that has often portrayed a man who was seeing the passions of the supporters as an irritant rather than a privilege.

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However, that communication has certainly improved in recent weeks, and his demeanour has softened as well, and now he says he realises that every time Sunderland play, it’s a ‘special day.’

“We have a really vibrant young group with a lot of ambition, and so there's a lot of excitement, there's a lot of positivity in this building,” Beale said ahead of the home game against Plymouth.

“A lot of these players have got high hopes for the future so managing them, getting to know them, getting to know the staff has been fantastic, I have to say.

“And then we have the stadium, which sells the most seats in the league, and we have the biggest away following, so every time we play, it's a special day.

“I think that's what you put across to this young group, but I can't get over really in words enough to people that when you come in a building, you got 25 young players that have got a burning ambition for the future. That's such a positive environment to walk into every day.

“So it's important that we remember that and keep working because I think this is a special club and we're lucky to be here.”

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