Mignolet not taking keeper spot for granted

Oct 16 2011 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

SIMON MIGNOLET insists he will not take his No 1 status at Sunderland for granted.

With Scotland star Craig Gordon sidelined for most of last season and the start of this, Mignolet has established himself as an automatic choice for boss Steve Bruce.

Even the summer signing of Republic of Ireland international Keiren Westwood has not fazed Mignolet, with the Belgian keeping him at bay.

But despite Bruce making him his de facto No 1, modest Mignolet says he does not consider himself first choice.

“Am I No 1? I’m not going to say that, but as long as I keep my performances up and do what I have to do week-in and week-out, I don’t think I have to fear anything,” said the 23-year-old.

“I just do my best every day and then it is up to the gaffer to decide whether that is good enough or not.

“I don’t think that any keeper at a Premier League club can afford to think they are No 1 and will play every game all season.

“I don’t think it works like that any more.”

Mignolet was a bargain £2m signing from Belgian side St Truiden last summer, and Gordon’s persistent injury problems meant that he played more than half the Black Cats’ games after being thrown in at the deep end in the Premier League.

Gordon did return last season but missed the end of the campaign with a knee problem that needed surgery and has yet to return.

After an uncertain start, Mignolet has shone in his absence and today returns to the scene of one of his best performances.

Mignolet was in unbeatable form at the Emirates Stadium in March, producing a string of top-class saves to secure a clean sheet and a point for Bruce’s men.

He is hoping for a quieter afternoon this time round – and a much better start than Sunderland’s last game, which saw them concede twice in the opening five minutes against West Brom at the Stadium of Light before coming back to take a point.

“Last season was my first game at the Emirates and it is a terrific place to play, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“I remember the game because I kept a clean sheet there and I had a very busy afternoon.

“But every game is different and it could be a very different story this time round.

“I’m not really thinking about last season’s game any more, I think it is more important to concentrate on today.