I recall the phrase ‘a rising tide lifts all boats’ being used by an Irish politician in the sixties when the Irish government revolutionised the Irish education sector for the youth of the country. From that point onwards, the impact that one change made had long-lasting effects in the country for years to come. It made this saying memorable to me, as it shows that in any walk of life, one subtle change can make a huge difference to many.
Whilst quite a different example, the signing of Granit Xhaka
represents a similar situation that is currently afoot at the Stadium of Light. Xhaka being the tide and the stakeholders of the club being all the different boats, of course.
Xhaka’s wave of leadership, ability, and experience that has swept over the club has not only had an enormous impact on the pitch, but also off it, where the club seem a completely different animal from last season.
On the pitch, the Swiss midfielder’s calmness is so infectious to everyone around him. Along with the extraordinary footballing ability that he possesses, Xhaka’s leadership sees him taking hold of games at times when we look like we are under the cosh (Nottingham Forest) and in search of a goal (Brentford and Aston Villa), where he has now become our leading assister.
On Saturday at the City Ground, the final five or six minutes were far more relaxing than one could have anticipated, due in no small part to our captain’s determination to control the game. The constant hand gestures for calming things down, along with the unending communication with all his teammates, display a man unflustered and at ease with being a leader.
His presence on the pitch is clearly making a difference to the players, and you can only imagine the difference his arrival has made to players such as Chris Rigg, Dan Neil, and Trai Hume, who are only beginning their careers in earnest.
Xhaka would have been one of the top midfielders in the league when they were growing up, and having a player in their dressing room with his class can surely only be making a positive impression on them. Notwithstanding the things that he does in a match, along with the good work the likes of Luke O’Nien has also done in this department, the standards, culture, and the importance of living your life correctly have surely rubbed off on our younger players.
Furthermore, amongst the fanbase, the signing of Xhaka was a signal of intent from the club, which in turn spread confidence amongst the supporters. When you consider the calibre of player that the fans have unfortunately had to witness, the acquisition of a player of the midfielder’s calibre can only send positive signals.
In many ways, the club has gone from signing players with huge egos and little ability to ones with enormous humility and ability, ones that want to understand the club, city, and its people and want to give everything for the badge.
This is having an impact at a national and international level. In recent weeks, I did an interview for a prominent national radio station here in Ireland, and whilst speaking to the presenter, he couldn’t help but constantly express his pleasant surprise and shock at the fact that we had signed Xhaka.
In relation to supporters, fans can see a fraud a mile away, and I think it is fair to say that almost all of Sunderland’s new recruits do not fall into this category, especially Xhaka.
After days of despair, the signing and presence of Xhaka is the ultimate tonic to see the club kick on to the next level on and off the pitch. All aboard!
