Source: Team_Talk
Bardsley: Brown is a class act
Phil Bardsley cannot believe Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to sell Wes Brown on the evidence of his Sunderland debut.[LNB] The two former Manchester United defenders lined up together in the Black Cats defence for Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at Liverpool in which Brown demonstrated exactly why manager Steve Bruce was so keen to sign him this summer.[LNB]Like 31-year-old Brown, Bardsley began his career at Old Trafford and knows Ferguson well, and he is delighted the Scot decided his new team-mate was surplus to requirements.[LNB]He told the Sunderland Echo: "Sir Alex makes some decisions and this one has come in favour of us because if Wes plays like that, he's up there as one of the best centre-halves in the country.[LNB]"I have played with him before and I know what he can do. When he plays like he did on Saturday, he's top-class.[LNB]"He's got unbelievable composure and in the air he wins everything. Overall, he's a fantastic player and a great lad as well.[LNB]"We have just got to keep him on the pitch. He's had a few injuries in the past, but he's made a tremendous start."[LNB]The draw at Anfield sends Sunderland into Saturday's derby clash with Newcastle, who themselves claimed a point from Arsenal later the same day, in confident mood.[LNB]Bardsley said: "It's a massive boost to go into the derby with something.[LNB]"We have worked really hard in pre-season to get our fitness levels where we want going into the season, knowing we had some tough opening games. Hopefully it will stand us in good stead for the derby."[LNB]The Black Cats managed to take just a single point from their local rivals last season when they were trounced 5-1 at St James' Park and then needed a last-gasp Asamoah Gyan equaliser to spare their blushes further at the Stadium of Light.
