Pienaar: Youngsters can thrive under Moyes

Sunderland midfielder Steven Pienaar believes the next crop of Black Cats have the perfect manager in David Moyes to be able to showcase their capabilities.

The 34-year-old spent five years working under Moyes across three different spells at Everton, two of those permanent, although the South African was released from Goodison Park in the summer.

But, with the offer to train at the Stadium of Light, Pienaar was given a new lease of experience with Moyes, eventually signing a one-year contract.

It’s an opportunity Pienaar is grateful for, and with the likes of Duncan Watmore and Lynden Gooch breaking through to the Sunderland first team, he is now hoping to rekindle his relationship with Moyes for the benefit of his new side.

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images )

“I didn’t expect my debut to come so quickly, but I’ve been working hard over the past couple of weeks to get fit and up to speed,” said Pienaar, who came on against Middlesbrough after just 37 minutes.

“I’m still running behind a little bit but for me to come on in the derby game is always good to get the feel of the club, the supporters and the stadium.

“Coming into a new team where there are many young players around you, I can pass on my experience, tell them to be calm and that as long as you put in everything then it’s okay.

“For them it’s a good opportunity and they’re doing quite well, there are a lot of experienced players out there and for them to get this opportunity, they can only get better.

“David gave a lot of young players the opportunity to play, Jack (Rodwell) was one of them, he knows all about it and he believes in them. Joel (Asoro) came on over the weekend and it’s a good opportunity for them and believe that the win is not far away.”