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Paolo Di Canio's political beliefs don't seem to matter to Sunderland fans anymore: COLIN YOUNG

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He’d just seen his team’s faint Champions League hopes go up in smoke and was about to leave Wearside with the prospect of four games to fight for the dubious right to be England’s representative in next season’s Europa League.

David Moyes didn’t look particularly happy. The Everton manager had felt the 'intimidating' atmosphere at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as Mackems celebrated the coronation of Paolo di Canio.

He knew his team hadn’t played well under those conditions, despite a couple of key decisions going against them. But Sunderland had. And that was largely down to the new manager, sorry head coach.

All smiles: Paolo Di Canio's two wins from two have meant any controversy is all but forgotten... for now

    More from Colin Young...   Northern Exposure: Sunderland are still a club in transition with Paolo Di Canio ready to instill radical changes 15/05/13   Pardew denies Newcastle rift as Di Canio calls for 'nice' Sunderland to develop an edge... but both are at risk of relegation 03/05/13   NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Paolo and Pardew ride the North-East rollercoaster... but is one of them heading for oblivion? 17/04/13   Northern Exposure: It's nearly time for the Tyne-Wear derby but who are the 22 players that Pardew and Di Canio should select? 10/04/13   Northern Exposure: Sunderland can't sweep this furore under the carpet, it would never have happened under Quinn's watch 03/04/13   Northern Exposure: Newcastle are flying in Europe but the main talking point is Pardew's beard! 14/03/13   Northern Exposure: The Toon Army are set for another long Europa League trip this week... but so are their opposition 05/03/13   Northern Exposure: Boro's form went down with the Christmas decorations leaving promotion hopes hanging by a thread 27/02/13   VIEW FULL ARCHIVE  

But the most telling comment of a memorable afternoon for Sunderland supporters came from Moyes when he was asked for his assessment of the Di Canio effect on a team who looked increasingly doomed a month ago.

'He has started off very well,' he said. 'But it is a long road this management lark y'know, and you have got to be able to keep doing it.'

No one can question, or under-estimate, the impact Di Canio has had on the players he inherited from Martin O’Neill.

The maverick Italian has injected an energy and belief into the squad which has ignited the supporters too. The short-term solution Ellis Short wanted is, realistically, one win away from working out.

But what about the long-term plan? Will the strategy work over a sustained period as Di Canio looks to build on his incredible start and fulfil his personal dream of 'being the best' in the best league in the world?

He clearly thinks so but it is going to be quite a rollercoaster ride finding out.

It helps that he won the derby – and won it in style with the way the team played and the way he celebrated – and that Everton, a team who regarded Sunderland as an odds-on win on the coupon, returned to Merseyside empty-handed for the first time in 13 years.

Two wins and suddenly a little bit of misunderstanding over his politics doesn't seem to matter to Sunderland supporters (many of whom will vow they weren’t that bothered in the first place).

That issue will never go away. And over the coming months - possibly years - Di Canio will, at various points, be asked for further clarification of his views, tattoos, and support of Rome's sky blues. He indicated in his first press conference as Sunderland boss that such inquisitors will face short shrift. But he can expect the questions anyway.

Mr Popular: Fans and players alike of instantly taken to the outspoken and emotional Italian

Much more intriguing in the Di Canio adventure will be his relationship with players, referees, the board, supporters, opposition managers, you name it. Di Canio has the potential to fall out with them all.

Don’t believe me? Just look at his Swindon Town record.

Of course, operating at League Two, in his first job with a board who were perhaps prepared to indulge his behaviour and massage his legendary status and ego, Di Canio was bound to be able to get away with a little more than he might in the Barclays Premier League where, as Luis Suarez has discovered, every bite is scrutinised.

And he might have calmed down. He might have realised, with his chance in the big time, comes the responsibility to bite his tongue, keep his kicking to himself and embrace officials rather than go to war with them.

But this is Paolo Di Canio we’re talking about.

This is the man who effectively sacked new signing Leon Clarke after just 11 days and who famously gave keeper Wes Foderingham the hook after 20 minutes in a game, describing him afterwards as 'the worst professional I have ever seen'.

But will it last: Di Canio had more than a few clashes with players and staff while manager at Swindon

Di Canio was still justifying that substitution in his first pre-match press conference a fortnight ago. He was right then, and he is right now.

There was some indication of Di Canio's willingness to act early during Saturday's win over Everton.

It is fair to say James McClean did not make the best start to the game. And sure enough, with less than 20 minutes on the clock, after the Irish winger gave away possession again on the far side, Di Canio sent his subs to warm up.

He didn’t act on it. David Vaughan returned to the bench and McClean, without actually going through all the gears in the game, was described as 'fantastic' by his manager afterwards.

But the potential was there to make an early change.

Di Canio prowled the technical area on Saturday, nervously twitching' mesmerised by every pass, tackle and header. Even when things did go his way, he wasn’t overly enamoured.

So when things don’t go his way, or more importantly the way of his team, what happens then? Hang on to your hats everyone. Stand by for fireworks, if not a full-blown nuclear assault.

You pity those who will be caught in the blast. You hope the board, the players and the FA will have the patience to cope with his antics. Because there will be plenty.

Whatever happens, it is going to be fun.

  More... Sunderland 1 Everton 0: Di Canio effect continues as Sessegnon moves Black Cats closer to safety Not Short on the tip! Sunderland chief leaves restaurant owner £1,800 after curry Evra joins Gazza, Fowler and Bullard in league of controversial celebrations after his bite gag aimed at Suarez






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