Source: Northern_Echo
Anton’s future is on the right
STEVE BRUCE has revealed that if Anton Ferdinand is to become part of his long-term plans then his temporary conversion to full-back must become a permanent switch.[LNB] But rather than continue as a makeshift left-back, Bruce believes that Ferdinand's ideal position lies on the right side of defence.[LNB] Ferdinand, linked with a loan move to Tottenham last summer, has proved to be a capable left-back since he was thrown into that role during the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal in February.[LNB] After starting at the Emirates as a defensive midfielder Ferdinand swapped places with George McCartney midway through the first half.[LNB] Since then, with McCartney marginalised from the first team picture, Ferdinand has carved out a niche for himself as part of Sunderland's increasingly resolute back four.[LNB] After his future looked to be in doubt, the former West Ham player's versatility could offer him a lifeline back into Bruce's thinking.[LNB] This afternoon he will continue on the left side of defence and if Bruce has his way Ferdinand's days as a centre-half are drawing to a close.[LNB] If I am right I think that Anton will be a better fullback than he will be a centreback,[LNB] explained the manager.[LNB] Left-back is not his natural position but I would love to see him at right-back. He is more comfortable there, he is comfortable on the ball.[LNB] He likes to get forward and express himself so that's why I see him more as a fullback than centre-back. He thinks he is a central midfielder but as we saw at Arsenal...[LNB] How Ferdinand reacts to being dragged out of his comfort zone will determine his future at the Stadium of Light but his willingness to operate as a makeshift leftback suggests he is coming around to his manager's way of thinking.[LNB] When he was a boy he played in every position but centre-back,'' said Bruce. I think it's because his brother plays centre back that everyone labelled him as one.[LNB] As a boy he played rightside of midfield, I have seen him play centre of midfield.[LNB] I have seen him play fullback positions. He is a decent boy but he is one that needs to be pointed and I think genuinely that he is a very good full-back. He has played left-back very well.[LNB] Ahead of this afternoon's game with fourth-placed Spurs, Bruce was keen to stress that relations between himself and his opposite number Harry Redknapp were on a friendly footing following the wrangling that precipitated Darren Bent's move to Wearside.[LNB] Everything written in papers and on Twitter and what have you is gone,'' he said. We have to thank Tottenham and Harry, who not only let us buy him he cost us a lot of money, mind you but also loaned us Alan Hutton, who helped us enormously when we were struggling defensively.'' Asked if Bent had something to prove against his former club, Bruce replied: I don't want to re-open it because Harry could easily have said no, he's not going'.[LNB] Whatever happened between the two of them has enabled us to buy him. To be fair to Harry he's always been all right with me. Darren's got nothing to prove, he's got 20-odd goals.[LNB] The North East loves its centre-forwards. The adulation poured out to Kevin Phillips last week was there for everyone to see and Benty's bought into that. I think he's benefited from playing week in, week out and being the number one.[LNB]
