Marc Wilson’s transfer to Sunderland was literally a ‘big move’ for him.
Having upped sticks with his young family from the south coast, the Republic of Ireland international is targeting more minutes and a charge up the league table with the Lads…
How has the move up here been for you, Marc?
I’ve settled in fine and we have a good bunch. I’ve been here a few weeks now and I’m enjoying it. I would be enjoying it even more if we had picked up more points. It hasn’t gone our way so far but I’ve seen enough in the dressing room to know we’re going to be ok. And we have players getting themselves back fit. With every game that’s gone by we’ve seen an improvement. There are a few lads who haven’t played a lot of football so it’s taken time to get back up to speed. I’ve enjoyed it so far, it’s a great club. The fans have been good to me and everyone will be disappointed with where we are. It’s always difficult so it’s up to the lads to put it right on the pitch and give the fans something to cheer. When you’re winning games, the atmosphere’s always a lot better.
From a geographical point of view, it must have been a big decision in that respect?
I’ve just got an apartment up here and it’s important to get my family here and happy too. Then I’ll be completely settled. We were in a hotel until recently, so once we all get our living quarters sorted, it’ll be even between for the rest of the lads. I’ve got a young son and he was down south with my wife until recently. Every time I went home I was noticing changes in him, he was saying more words and starting to talk so I felt I was missing out. But I am happy to be here, we made the decision and it was the right move for me. And, speaking to other people, I know it’s definitely the right move.
How have you found the dressing room in your first few weeks?
Being in the Premier League for a long time, Sunderland is a massive club and they don’t deserve to be here. Everyone, including people behind the scenes, are doing their best to get ourselves ready for each game and propel ourselves up the league. Bringing new signings in can take time for players to gel and to get their match-fitness up if they haven’t played in a while. To be honest the boys in the dressing room are a good bunch. In fact, there isn’t one in there that I would say is a bad lad and doesn’t get along with anyone else. It’s a good group and the more we play together, the better we’ll become.
When you signed you spoke about looking forward to getting some game time under your belt, how in yourself with some minutes in your legs?
Nothing can get you up to speed other than playing in proper games. Against Hull we played terrific in the first-half but in the second-half they pinned us back as you would expect and that was my third game in a week. The fixtures I played when I first arrived, I saw a big improvement in performances both from myself and the rest of the lads. Yes, it’s satisfying (to be playing) but it’s been disappointing to lose football matches. You’re always disappointed to lose, which any footballer will tell you. I’m concentrating on the next game and looking forward all the time. Slowly but surely, I know I’ll get there, as will the team as a whole.
You weren’t involved on Saturday but how important is it to keep being positive in terms of approaching the next game?
It’s disappointing to hear how long it’s been since we won at home. That can put pressure on us but, as players, we’ve got to stay positive and try and make the Stadium of Light a fortress. That’s how we’ll start picking up points. I definitely see that coming. I can see everyone working hard but we’re looking to get a positive result under our belt. We are desperate to give the fans the points they deserve.
