Poyet: I spoke with O'Shea before axing
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet admits he met with John O'Shea to explain why he was dropped before their defeat at Tottenham.
Poyet took the rare step of breaking the news to his captain in person prior to the game though, as he looked to find a formula to give Sunderlandsome hope in the relegation battle.
“Because of the type of person he is and the type of professional he is, he deserved an explanation,” Poyet told the Sunderland Echo.
“I don’t do that every week.
“Every time I make a change, I don’t call the player to tell him, believe me.
“I’ve got no problem telling him if he wants to know, but I can’t call a player in every time I make a change.
“But John deserved an explanation because of who he is and how we need him.”
O'Shea has already said if Sunderland is relegated he won't quit