Sunderland legend Jimmy Montgomery has advised current goalkeeper Robin Roefs to simplify his game, urging him to stop trying to play from the back so much. The 82-year-old record appearance holder offered his verdict as the Black Cats, 14th in the Premier League on four points, gear up for a daunting away fixture against second-placed Manchester City this weekend.

Montgomery, who made 627 appearances for the club across 18 years, spoke with manager Regis Le Bris and Roefs recently. "Robin is an excellent keeper, a brilliant keeper," Montgomery said. "Sometimes I just wish he wouldn't try to play from the back so much." He pointed to Arsenal's David Raya as an example of a goalkeeper who dictates play effectively without unnecessary risk.

European memories and stolen gloves

The conversation turned to Montgomery's own European adventure with Sunderland, their sole foray in the 1973-74 Cup Winners' Cup. After winning the FA Cup against Leeds United in 1973, they faced Vasas Budapest and then Sporting Lisbon. It was in Lisbon that his goalkeeping gloves were stolen after he placed them in the back of the net with his cap, as was his habit. "I haven’t got those gloves anymore," he recalled.

That famous 1973 final save, from a Trevor Cherry header and Peter Lorimer's follow-up that hit the bar, remains iconic. Montgomery's legacy is cemented at the Stadium of Light with a stand named in his honour, and this season's goalkeeping jerseys feature his signature, appearance record, and an outline of that save.

A winding coaching career

His long association with Sunderland saw him serve as a player, goalkeeping coach, and work at the club's centre of excellence, though he was let go on four separate occasions. He later coached at Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan for a year, working with Pavel Srnicek, whom he considered the best goalkeeper he ever coached. Montgomery ended his playing career at Nottingham Forest, where he was on the bench when Brian Clough's side won the European Cup in Madrid in 1980, earning a medal.

His advice for Roefs comes at a pertinent moment. Sunderland's defence has conceded five goals in four league games this season, including two in last week's 2-0 home defeat to Arsenal. The team's recent form shows two wins, a draw, and two losses from their last five outings. With key players like Habib Diarra and Romaine Mundle currently sidelined, defensive solidity will be key against the attacking might of Manchester City. The trip to the Etihad Stadium on 20 September represents the next significant challenge in Sunderland's Premier League campaign.

Read the full report at Daily Mail Sport