**SUNDERLAND**
October 3rd, 2009
11:39 am
11:39 am
Posted By: danny
After watching Manchester United score another late goal at Old(Extra-Time) Trafford, i wanted to talk about what’s going on at one of my former clubs ‘Sunderland’. I’ve managed to watch them a few times on North American TV this year and have been pleasantly surprised. Now , of course with limited TV coverage over here i have not been able to watch them week in week out. So this is what i’m asking for from all you Sunderland fans and opposing fans. What is the major change that has happened this year? It cant be all down to Mr.Bruce, or can it? Is the proven premiership strike-force of Bent & Jones a factor behind this? You tell me, i want to know. Thanks Danny
A lot of money has been brought into the club by Ellis Short our Irish Texan billionaire. With Quinny running it front of shop. Bringing in Bruce seems to have been one of the best moves this season as he has always seemed to work wonders on a tiight budget at his previous clubs. Now with a bit of money he seems to have identifyed some cracking players in Cana especially.
Jones and Bent keep coming up with the goods I just don’t understand how a player who has scored 7 goals in 8 games i think it is can be left out of the England squad!!!
Jamie McNicholas
Alreet Deech.
Bruce’s scouting network has paid off dividends, he has signed quality in the likes of Bent, Cana, Cattermole, Mensah, Turner and Da Silva, In Cana, Mensah and Da Silva we have 3 International captains in the team so bags of top level experience. In Bent, Cattermole and Turner we have 3 young English players who have the hunger to succeed.
Danny,
We have happy memories of when you played for us. The present side has the potential to be even better than the team you played in. However, as SAFC Fans we have had many kicks in the teeth and false dawns so we are not shouting from the roof tops just yet.
Haway the Lads and FTM.
Over all i think this year EPL is surprising everyone at all fronts. It is completely unpredictable.
Personally I also have limited access to European football coverage and have not been able to follow much action. Yet I do believe Bent and Jones have stepped up to tally up the goals for the club and Bruce has been great in displaying their talent.
Hi Danny,
I genuinely believe it is a mixture of good owneship and management finally being put together. Quinn, as you will know, is very much a football man, with the club’s best interest being his main objective. The appointment of Bruce has led to an experience, good quality Premier League manager breeding confidence into our already talented, but under-performing squad, whilst adding some true quality such as Bent, Cana, Cattermole and Turner. Put it all together, and we seem to be coming up with a good combination, and I wouldn’t say no to a cheeky outside chance of Sunderland claiming a European spot, much in the way Fulham did last season.
All the best!
Alight Deech. Brucey has made some very good signings throughout the team giving us what he calls a solid spine. New captain Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole totally boss the midfield giving the reborn Andy Reid and Steed Malbranque license to do there thing. Michael Turner looks like he is going to massive at the back giving us an ariel presence we have missed for some time. Bent has started his Sunderland career with a bang and long may it continue and it’s good to see Big Kenwynne not letting Benty run away with the goal scoring. For once the money the manager has been given has been spent very wisely and not just on a body to add to the squad like in the Keane days. Should have beat Man utd!!! played some of the best football i can remember coming from the lads in years and long may it continue. Cheers Wayne
Well I think Bruce has played a major part…finally having some money to spend has certainly helped.
Buying the likes of Bent who is a proven goal scorer in the Premier League helps, and he can play really well alongside both Jones and Campbell which is always good.
I’d also say that having Cana and Cattermole in the centre has really helped us improve. They had that bite that we’ve been lacking for years. We aren’t quite the pushovers we used to be.
That being said, our defence is still hit and miss, though having Turner/Mensah/Da Silva come in has strengthened us at the back.
I think after a few more games, we’ll have really jelled.
I think maybe another defender/creative midfielder could help us out though.
Still, a really positive start to the season, which will hopefully continue.
Alreet Danny. In answer to your question, yes the change is mainly down to Mr Bruce. He is a manager with experience and knows what he is doing, particularly in the transfer market which he shown at other clubs, as well as here at Sunderland. Obviously you’ve got to thank your former team-mate Mr Niall Quinn as well, without him God only knows where SAFC would have ended up after the 15 point season.
Anyway, I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank you for your efforts while at Sunderland - the Reidy era, ahh those were the days! Hopefully we get a squad and times like that back to Sunderland. Anyway I wish you good luck in the future with whatever you do.
Ha’way the lads.
It’s because Bruce has bought in a proven striker. Two hard-as-nails central midfielders and a decent centreback or two. We’re not getting pushed back onto the defence because of Cattermole and Cana bossing the Midfield. That leaves the rest of the MF room to play and feed big Kenwyne and Dazzler. That is all.
Hoo Danny, solid midfield with cana and cattermole, turner has made a difference at centre half and the front two know where the net is
Money and a competent manager.
I would say, clearing the deadwood. Also, the midfield is the strongest i’ve seen it in Cana and Cattermole.
The answer would be, more desire to win, more battlers with genuime ability.
How’s life over there?
I think having the control of Lorik Cana in the mid has helped get the ball through to Bent tremendously.
I think there’s a multitude of factors, although the new manager and strike force are definitely major reasons. We’ve also replaced players who were previously involved in our disastrous 15 point season with international quality players like Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole. Andy Reid has been transformed too, and he’s added creativity to our midfield which Benty and Jones are thriving on. There are definitely a few weak points in the side still, especially at fullback, but with Brucie in charge I’d expect those to be addressed and we’re looking better than ever. There’s definitely potential to be even better than we were under Reidy when we came so close to Europe. It’s good to see you’re still looking out for the lads, good luck to TFC for the rest of their season too!
Its all down to Steve Bruce and Ellis Shorts millions this is the best squad weve had since your days
Steve Bruce is definately the reason. None of our past managers would have dared go to Old Trafford and take the game to Man U. He’s also made some very shrewd signings and shipped almost all of the deadwood out from the “15 Point” season barring 1 or 2 who are left over who I’m sure will move on in the next transfer window. Todays display shows we may have just turned the corner and a top 10 finish is a real possibility.
i think some of its 2 do wit the players bruce has brought in, cana,bent cattamole, turner have all impresed from the start we have got that certain spark again that makes us a threat again darren bent wos a great signing he is really connected with jones and jones looks that bit sharper tha last year
I think its down the the atmosphere around the club that bruce has brought in as well as the talented new players, such as cana and bent who since signing have made a huge difference to the club all in all its good to see jones & bent linking up well
cheers
I think its i few different things, i am a season ticket holder, we seem to have brought in a fluent striker, something we have lacked since Super Kev. As well as being strong going forward, our midfield is a lot more determined that last season, and the likes of Turner in defence can only be a good thing. Also, Steve Bruce is clearly the right man for the job, he understands the north easts passion for grit! He has a team of winners, players who arent afraid of getting stuck in. I think he missed out on one or two players in the summer, who he will get in January. And i predict a top ten finish for the Mackems! All in all though, where would Sunderland be without the man that is Niall Quinn, surely a knighthood is on the horizon for a man that has Football in his blood. SAFC_FTM
The biggest change: Darren Bent, a proven goal scorer, signing. He has give Kenwyne Jones confidence aswell. Great man!
Major change: Andy Reids weight loss. He has dramatically improved. He is faster and runs more distance!
Worst change (in my opinion): selling Danny Collins! Mr Consistancy! Proven left-back, capable of a central defence role, now we only have one recognised left-back, George McCartney.. Injury record is against him!