Source: Daily_Mail
Steve Bruce counting the 71 days until he can have his Tyne-Wear revenge
As he comes to terms with the worst week of his life, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce admits he cannot wait for the next Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light. [LNB]'Seventy-one days,' he said yesterday, with a determined look in his eye. 'Not that I'm counting, but that's a motivating force.' [LNB]Bruce admitted the humiliating 5-1 defeat in his first Tyne-Wear derby at St James' Park on Sunday had been difficult to handle for footballing and personal reasons. [LNB] Humiliation: Sunderland were thumped 5-1 by Newcastle in Steve Bruce's 'worst moment of his career'[LNB]He had to contend with the mocking tune Daydream Believer over the Newcastle PA system within seconds of the final whistle. Throughout the game, Newcastle fans had mocked Bruce with a more abusive version of the song, as they once did with Peter Reid.[LNB]'Fortunately I didn't hear it because I was inside, but others did,' he said. 'I hope we can repeat the same dosage when they come to our place. It was typical of their etiquette.'[LNB]Plotting revenge: Bruce is already counting the days until the rematch at home[LNB]He has also had to deal with the deaths of two close friends, former Manchester City boss and Wigan general manager John Benson and Gillingham youth team coach Bill Collins, who died yesterday aged 90.[LNB]Bruce said the loss of Benson, the man who encouraged him back into management after he left Crystal Palace, and Collins, who was an influential figure when he was a teenager, had helped him put the match in perspective.[LNB]'That was probably the worst defeat of my life,' he said. 'Afterthat and after losing two good friends, it probably was the worst weekI've had.' [LNB]But after analysing the St James' performance and galvanising histroops for Stoke's visit on Saturday, which also sees the return of sixformer Sunderland players, Bruce accepts he has to win the fans back. [LNB] He said: 'I'm from this area and know what it means. I didn't speak to anyone for two days and it will live with me forever. There will be people wanting me out and I understand that. There's nobody more hurt than me. [LNB] 'I have some repairing to do and the trust that some had in me has probably been blown away. All the good work I've done has just evaporated in days. [LNB] Loss: Jenson Benson, a great friend of Bruce, died this week[LNB]'But one result shouldn't cloud what we've done over 18 months. We have to not let it derail our season. Make no mistake, there's been some tough talking and the players are deeply upset, too.'[LNB]Asamoah Gyan, Craig Gordon, Kieran Richardson, Bolo Zenden and John Mensah are in contention for a recall against Stoke, but some squad members have been hit by a flu bug.[LNB] Gyan to start against Stoke as Bruce finally unleashes his record signingAgitated McCarthy covers 36 miles a year just watching WolverhamptonRoberto Martinez axes Wigan talent spotter Benson after 10 years at clubNorthern Exposure: Who'd be a manager... or even a Sunderland fan!SUNDERLAND FC
