Quinn sets benchmark as Rovers fall

His team-mates meant no disrespect towards Lilian Laslandes as they paid tribute to veteran Niall Quinn, Sunderland?s matchwinner in the home win over Blackburn.

Many fans are puzzled why Laslandes, a £3.5million summer buy from Bordeaux, has been preferred to Quinn for three of Sunderland?s four games this season.

Frankly, Laslandes has looked way below the class of Quinn, who turns 35 next month. Even the man who bought him, manager Peter Reid, admits that the Frenchman has a lot more to offer than he has shown in England so far.

Reid said: ?Pires looked as though he was struggling at Arsenal last year, but this season he?s on fire. Once Lilian gets used to the pace of our game and relaxes we will see the best of him.?

Blackburn had reason to wish Reid had not replaced Laslandes with Quinn for the last 29 minutes.

Laslandes? cross from the right had given Kevin Phillips a clear heading chance that he wasted, but he also missed with a good chance of his own.

Quinn, though, caused Blackburn far more problems. His knock-down for Phillips led to a superb onehanded save from Brad Friedel. Then, 10 minutes from time, Stefan Schwarz?s fine cross from the left was ideal for the lanky Irishman who judged his winning header perfectly.

As if that was not enough for more regular recognition, he made sure his goal was a winner by heading a Matt Jansen effort off the line with two minutes to go.

Sadly for spectators who would have liked to know Quinn?s thoughts in victory, the normally fluent and cooperative communicator declined to attend a news conference. The message was: ?He?s gone home. He?s not feeling good.?

But Reid said he is still a ?fantastic asset? to have and will start games. Fellow Irishmen ? one from the north, the other from the south ? could hardly have praised him more.

Kevin Kilbane, Quinn?s Republic of Ireland team-mate and also a Sunderland substitute on Saturday, said: ?I think if he is fit and feeling good he is certain to be in the starting line-up nine times out of 10. He?s a great leader and has tremendous experience. He has so much influence here. Young players realise he?s a legend and they listen to him.

?After he came on he provided so much movement. It was a great header for his goal. He was absolutely magnificent.?

George McCartney, 20, earned the official man of the match award for an outstanding home Premiership debut only three days after a debut goal for Northern Ireland.

He said of Quinn: ?He?s still young enough and fit enough. I think a lot of supporters would like to see him starting. He still has a lot to offer. He has a great influence in the club and helps everyone along.?

The second half was infinitely better to watch than a dreadful first period when neither side deserved the attention of a crowd of 45,103.

Reid confessed that Sunderland have yet to play well this season but, having picked up seven points from four games, he wondered out loud ?what will we do when we play well??

Playing at the Stadium of Light for the first time, promoted Rovers also improved after the break and manager Graeme Souness claimed: ?We were worthy of a point. But we had good chances and didn?t take them. At the highest level you have to.

?Credit Sunderland, though. They don?t give you any rest and work very hard. We normally get the ball down and play, but you have to give them credit for stopping us do that.?

Despite that, Rovers would have earned a draw but for Quinn?s clearance and a brilliant double save by Thomas Sorensen.

With seven minutes to go, the Denmark goalkeeper shot out a leg to save a deflected effort from Jansen and then kept out a drive from substitute Tugay.