​21 Apr 2002: Johan Micoud of Parma celebrates scoring during the Serie A match between Parma and Atalanta, played at the Ennio Tardini Stadium, Parma. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Grazia Neri/Getty Images | Getty Images On this day back in 2002, Peter Reid took a quick break from Sunderland’s training camp to scout a French international midfielder, with the hope of bringing him to Wearside.Reid ended up in Amsterdam to take in the four-team tournament involving Ajax, Barcelona, United, and Parma, while keeping a particular eye on Parma’s French midfielder Johan Micoud.Reports in the Italian press said that Sunderland had enquired about the then 29-year-old midfielder, who was said to be looking for a move to England or Spain. West Ham and Fulham were also linked with the player, as were Bordeaux, who Micoud joined in 1996 and helped win the French championship in 1999.Micoud played in the World Cup that summer, replacing the injured Zinedine Zidane in the first two games of France’s dismal attempt at defending the World Cup, but the midfielder spoke about any possible move:I still don’t know where I’ll be next season. I hope to decide my future in the next few days. I must speak with Parma but I hope to play in another championship. Even England or Spain.In the tournament, Reid took in Parma’s 4-2 defeat to Barcelona and Manchester United’s loss to Ajax in the other game. He would be back in Belgium the following day for Sunderland’s final match of the tour, against KAA Gent. The previous week saw his Sunderland side beat Saint-Truiden 1-0 before struggling to a draw with Royal Antwerp in midweek – where the Black Cats’ sluggish first half display had earned the wrath of the travelling fans.But Reid was confident going into the season ahead:I’m happy with the games we’ve got lined up for the players even though they’re not easy matches. Gent should be the hardest opposition we’ve faced yet and then we have Sevilla ahead as next week.But we’ve taken the decision that this is the best way forward for the players.There are two schools of thought on pre-season games and both viewpoints are equally as valid.You can go out and play really weak opposition and roll them over five and six nil, and there’s nothing wrong with that – it builds confidence and the players still get good run-outs.Or you can face tougher opponents and really test yourselves, although it means not necessarily winning matches.Against Amiens in France we were facing a side much fitter than we were in terms of fitness and we went into the game on the back of six days where we’d been training three times a day.In Belgium we’ve lined up games against three sides who play in the First Division. I’ve watched a lot of Belgian football and they play to a good standard so again they are demanding games.You face a decision when it comes to lining up these games and there’s nothing wrong with playing opponents that you’re always going to win ag