Dichio to get Black Cats' backs up?

By Stephen Eighteen
March 19 2004

Striker Danny Dichio says he will pass on his knowledge of Sunderland to manager Dennis Wise for the semi-final clash at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old scored eighteen goals in 94 games in his three-year spell in the north-east between 1998 and 2001.

Although the target man struck twice on his Millwall debut in a 2-1 home win against his former club two months ago, he believes he knows enough about his former teammates to help the Lions reach the Cardiff cup final.

He told Southwark News: “I know a few of their players, and know what their strengths are so I’m going to hopefully pass on that, but they’re a form team at the moment.

“It's going to be a funny day for me, because I've got a lot of love for Sunderland. I spent four years up there and both of my boys were born up there, but my heart is set for Millwall, and we've got a chance of getting to an FA Cup final which is every player's dream.

“I talk to a few of the boys up there. I'm not on good terms with them up there because the last game I played was my debut and I scored two, but hopefully that's a good omen.

“They’re going to have a fantastic support up there, and we can counter-act that with our fans going up there and it’s going to be a hell of a day.

“The two Sunderland goals were big for my move down here, but they were also big for the club. They gave us three points against a team up there with us, and they’re going to be a main rival for us in the play off positions.

“We have got six points over them this season so it makes things a bit more saucy for the semi final.

“They’re a form team. They haven’t lost in a long while and their players are full of confidence and it’s set up to be a good game.”

Dichio started off his Millwall career in fine goalscoring style by netting six in his first five games, but has since failed to score in his last six matches.

However, the forward has never been an out and out goalscorer throughout his career, and his two vital assists in Tuesday’s FA Cup quarter final at Tranmere proved that there is far more to his game.

He added: “I didn’t expect to make such an impact early on, but it’s been good in the long run because it’s got me my move here, and I’m enjoying my football.

“I haven’t scored in six but the team is still winning, and if you ask me, that is more important than me getting goals at the moment so I’m just happy with that.

“I’ve got two assists today and got another on Saturday at Ipswich, so as a big target man that is mainly my job. If I can add a few goals here and there, then I’m happy.

“But I’m not a selfish kind of guy. I’d rather we get three points or in the next round of the cup, than me scoring.”

The striker feels it is a major boost for the people of Bermondsey and south London to have a local team in the last four of the FA Cup.

“We've got the semi final coming up now, so it's going to be a great day for myself, the boys, and also for my family as well.

“But even more so for the fans, because they've been under a lot of pressure and a lot of criticism has come their way, which is unfair at times, and it is going to be a big boost for the club and the area.

“I don’t think it’s finally sunk in to the boys that we’re in the semi-finals of the cup, but it will put the fans and the whole place on the buzz, and if we get a derby win against West Ham in Sunday the place is just going to go delirious, but the boys are focussing on one game at a time.”