The defender of Sunderland, Phil Bardsley, has admitted that he made a comeback in October without getting 100% fit and that was the reason; why he was looking slow in the matches that he played towards the end of last year.
Phil Bardsley had to remain out of action in the first couple of months in the ongoing season because of the ankle injury that he had discovered during the pre season training. He made a comeback in October, but, he looked horribly out of nick in the matches that he played.
After the match against Chelsea which was played in early December, the manager of Sunderland, Martin O’ Neill decided to keep him out of the starting XI in a few matches. Bardsley had to sit on the bench in six matches before he was given a starting opportunity in the FA Cup match against Bolton wanderers. Bardsley looked in decent form in that match.
Talking to the reporters after the match against Bolton Wanderers, Bardsley said, “I think I decided to make a comeback at a wrong time. I was probably 90-95% fit in October, but, I was so eager to be back again that I thought that I had regained complete fitness. But, that was not the case. I should have waited for a couple more weeks.”
“But, now, I think I have got back to complete fitness. I have been feeling well since the last two weeks and I moved well on the field today.”
“I have missed a lot of matches this season which is really disappointing. But, we are only midway through the season and there are a number of matches still to be played. I can still make a mark, but, I need to make sure that whenever I get an opportunity, I latch on it.”