'I have everything to prove' - Michael Beale opens up on building Sunderland 'relationship'

Once beleaguered Sunderland boss Michael Beale is feeling more connection with the club and the supporters, but he knows he has to prove himself.

Michael Beale says he can feel a ‘relationship’ developing between him and Sunderland, but he admits he still has everything to prove to supporters.

Beale led Sunderland to a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle last week and has recovered impressively from receiving a lot of angry criticism from fans in January.

That anger followed a run of three defeats to Newcastle, Ipswich and Hull City, but since then Sunderland have taken three points from a possible nine.

Michael Beale's family thanks Sunderland fans for 'touching' gesture

Fans also connected with Beale over a touching show of support for his cancer-stricken niece Poppy during the Plymouth game, and he is certainly starting to feel the warmth the club has to offer.

He also, though, acknowledges that the growing relationship will also depend upon him being better at acknowledging when criticism is warranted.

"With a new relationship, everything takes time," Beale told reporters after the won over Plymouth.

"There was a lot of emotion in the air, there were emotional games and we didn't do so well in those games.

“We have to take that, we have to take the pats on the back when they're deserved and take the feedback when it's not so positive.

“It's still early days. That's my 10th game and we have everything to prove: me, the players, us as a team and a club.

“We have everything to prove in the next three months so it should be exciting.”

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