As Sunderland stare into the abyss, the message from one of their own is simple. Stop the search for a saviour. Don't look enviously at outsiders because the answer to their problems is already inside the Stadium of Light.
A man who bleeds red and white, whose commitment to the Sunderland cause was proved over 389 appearances in their midfield.
One who has a passing philosophy to accompany the fighting qualities needed in a relegation battle. A manager who should succeed the sacked Paolo Di Canio - their former captain, turned coach, Kevin Ball.
Sunderland born and bred, a Black Cats fan before he graduated to the first team, Jordan Henderson will line up against them today, doing his utmost to ensure a Liverpool victory, and then he will revert to the status of a supporter.
And while Gus Poyet is the red-hot favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light, Henderson, 23, hopes Sunderland won't follow Di Canio with another glamorous foreigner and will heed his advice and appoint his mentor.
"He loves Sunderland," the Liverpool midfielder said.
"He's got Sunderland in his blood. He can definitely get them motivated. He'll want them to play as well. A lot of people look at Kevin Ball like he was a fighter, a battler, a warrior on the pitch. As a manager he's all of that but he wants his teams to get the ball down and play good football. I think it's someone like him that they need."
And Henderson, who texted Ball to wish him luck before Tuesday's Capital One Cup win over Peterborough, knows him better than most.
Without his help, Henderson might not be one of the most improved players at Anfield - even though their professional relationship ended two years ago.
"He was my manager when I went from school into full-time, up to the U18s," said the England international.
"He really taught me a lot in the years I worked with him. He was a massive influence. I still speak to him now.
"He watches my games and he'll tell me if I'm doing good or bad."
Source: Daily Express
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