10 Sunderland Cult Heroes From The Premier League Era

4. Lee Cattermole

Lee Cattermole is a hated figure in the Premier League. He's the man everyone loves to boo, he's the man everyone loves to hurl abuse at, but at the same time, he's the man every player hates to see charging towards them with a glint in his eye. A world where Cattermole is universally liked is a world where Cattermole is completely ineffective. His job is literally to break up the play, get in players' faces, drive his team forward from the back, and get the crowd fist-pumping with some giant blocks and sprawling tackles. Fans from every team slaughter him, but if he was at their disposal, they'd love him - that's the nature of the situation. His passing is improving all the time, and he's comfortably the most important player in the current Sunderland side for the presence he brings to the whole stadium. If you're a player and clip him, you'd better watch your back.