He soonafter became first choice left back at the club citing Brazilian full back Maicon as inspiration for taking up his new position, saying ``I watched the World Cup and saw the way guys like Maicon were bombing forward - and I thought ''I can do that``. He opened his scoring account for the season on 22 January away to Blackpool scoring two goals in the first half. After deploying him in an attacking role, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce hailed Richardson's versatility saying ''I must have asked him to play in five or six positions this season and certainly in that position he enjoys it, it's something he revels in``.
Steve Bruce
Richardson