Source: Daily_Mail
Northern Exposure: Bruce confident of Sunderland bouncing back
You've got to feel for Steve Bruce a little. [LNB]He signs a new contract, the majority of the fans give it the thumbs up, the chairman is delighted and has said he will stay on board too. [LNB]And it all comes as he's enduring his worst run as Sunderland manager, with the small matter of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City all on the horizon next. [LNB]'Good job I signed it when I did,' he said at his press conference on Thursday. [LNB]But he was only joking. Wasn't he? [LNB] Up against it: Sunderland manager Bruce is going through a testing time at the Stadium of Light[LNB]The announcement at the close of business last Friday was surprising only because it was so out of the blue. [LNB]Talks with Niall Quinn and owner Ellis Short opened in January and were quickly concluded once Bruce had dismissed thoughts of a sabbatical. [LNB]Sealing it in the middle of this difficult time also extinguished any daft questions that may have arisen in a struggle which last week, after a miserable defeat at Everton, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker unhelpfully linked with Darren Bent's departure. [LNB] More from Colin Young... Northern Exposure: How being Given's understudy made Harper stronger23/02/11 Northern Exposure: Ignore Quinn's last orders at your peril16/02/11 Northern Exposure: Newcastle's Plan D... ?35m Carroll to journeyman Finn11/02/11 Northern Exposure: Broken promises, sackfuls of cash and a star departure01/02/11 Northern Exposure: Barton's form has earned him a second England chance26/01/11 Colin Young: Bent's fantasy deal brings Sunderland crashing back to earth18/01/11 Northern Exposure: Three reasons why the hotbed of football became a laughing stock during a weekend of FA Cup shocks 11/01/11 Northern Exposure: New Year's resolutions for the north east big three05/01/11 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Bruce expects Danny Welbeck back at the Emirates, although he scored six and was in superb form prior to his cruciate injury, the on-loan Manchester United forward took time to settle into his role in a Sunderland shirt. He may need time again. [LNB]The Sunderland manager is optimistic that by the end of the month he will have eight other senior players available. [LNB]After those three games, Sunderland have seven matches against sides who they clearly expect to beat. [LNB]Bruce said: 'There is no mistake we are on a run we have to halt, we knew this would be the most difficult part of the season and we have to see it through as best we can and hopefully by the end of the month we will have the big players back who are chomping at the bit ready and available. [LNB]'We are down to the bare bones and just at the time we need to freshen it we can't. [LNB]'We were poor at Everton, flat on the day and didn't perform. We are without nine players, if I could have four or five, then the biggest weapon I could have is competition but we are decimated. [LNB]'It's dangerous to have a side which picks itself. When we see signs of fatigue and need to freshen things up, we can't do that. [LNB]'It is difficult for us all because, as we have seen this season, it can happen to anybody. Ask Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal, it hits you. [LNB]'We are looking for resilience. We have to try get over these games, then we still have an outstanding chance and nine players will freshen us up and give the place a lift.' [LNB] Long gone: England striker Darren Bent left Sunderland for Aston Villa in January[LNB]Sunderland have to hope they can restore the early season form which put them on the fringes of the European places. [LNB]If they can't prove there is life after Bent, there is every danger their former striker's new club Aston Villa will over take them.[LNB] Or worse still for every Mackem, particularly after that 5-1 drubbing, Newcastle United could do it too. [LNB]....................................................................................Newcastle continue their steady progress under Alan Pardew, with three good draws, a win and a defeat since Andy Carroll left. Life does go on. [LNB]Contracts have been signed, yet inevitably greeted with an air of cynicism. [LNB]Talk of the Toon: Midfielder Tiote[LNB]They sold Carroll within months of signing his five-year deal, and Cheik Tiote's value has certainly increased with his new deal. [LNB]Six years is pretty unusual, but sends a message to the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea who have tracked him since FC Twente.[LNB] There is a message too for Joey Barton and Jose Enrique as they ponder the possibility of life in greener pastures. [LNB]The Newcastle rejuvenation owes somuch to dressing room unity and nothing will ruin that now. But itcan't help having one or two ditherers in the camp. [LNB]Pardew admitted this week he has heard of a ridiculous whispering campaign questioning Barton's commitment to the cause.[LNB] The midfielder is one of the most committed players in the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]Like the rest of us, he simply wants to see the Carroll money investedproperly. And he's waiting until the summer to see that happen. [LNB]His captain Kevin Nolan had an idyllic view of Tiote's new deal.[LNB]'He deserves everything he gets,' he said. 'Hopefully we can build a team around him. We're all working together to make sure we get Newcastle back where it belongs. It's going to be bit by bit.'[LNB] The skipper has pinned his hopes on the owners delivering. He's not alone in hoping they do. [LNB] Gordon to visit specialist in Sweden in bid to cure troublesome knee injuryWhat a waste of money! Toon say Carroll could have left last year for ?1mAll the latest Sunderland news, features and opinionAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan, Darren Bent, Steve Bruce, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll, Gary Lineker, Joey Barton, Niall Quinn Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
