Gus Poyet: “We played Craig Gardner in his favourite position, just behind the strikers, and he took full advantage.
“It was a great shot from him and he’s another name who has put himself forward in terms of the first-team frame.
“When I arrived at Sunderland one of the first players I talked to was Craig.
“I said: ‘we need to find a way to put you close to the box with the ball at your feet,’
“We needed to get him three or four chances per game like that and then he would score a lot over the course of time because he’s a great finisher.
“I see it every day in training.
“He has a shot which is difficult to stop and he’s also a fantastic penalty-taker but we haven’t been able to play him there too often.
“I like him in that position.
“He gives me an option to do different things depending on how we play.
“He’s the midfielder who can attack the most, get in the box the most and he has that goal in him too.
“There were loads of positives.
“There were none of those doubts that kill you.
“So maybe we play two strikers from now on?
“Technically we were very good against Southampton, which is something we haven’t seen so much in the league, where maybe they are a bit more tense.
“And I liked the fact that we had two strikers and players coming in from behind.
“Overall it was a good performance, we took care of the ball, passed it well and showed great energy.”
PLEASE VOTE ....
Gus Poyet insists he would take Premier League survival over cup glory despite seeing his team edge closer to a second big day at Wembley.
Gus Poyet: "Me, I would prefer to stay in the Premier League.
"Apparently to be more famous, it's better to win the cup.
"I don't want any more people knowing me, I think they know me enough, so I would prefer to stay in the Premier League.
"I am not looking for a statue, that's for sure.
"It's a personal feeling. I can't answer for anybody else, it's me. I would be devastated if we go down, so it's me.
"Now at the same time, I have to say if we win the cup, I am going to be jumping up and down and I am going to be wanting to come back here and celebrate with the fans, that's true.
"We will see, we will see what happens."
PLEASE VOTE ....
Obviously we want to win a cup AND be playing Premier League football ... but if you were put on the spot ... which would YOU choose?
PLEASE VOTE: http://www.sunderland-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp