Source: Northern_Echo
Big four recruits are key for Bruce
WITH time ticking on Steve Bruce's attempts to strengthen his squad, he outlined the size of his task last night by admitting that players with top four quality are required to take Sunderland to the next level.[LNB] Another away defeat at West Bromwich Albion means Bruce's acceptance of last season that changing a mentality which has held back the Black Cats for a number of years is essential.[LNB] Sunderland face Colchester United in the second round of the Carling Cup tonight, with Bruce likely to hand starts to Andy Reid, Anton Ferdinand and Phil Bardsley.[LNB] With the transfer window due to close a week tonight, it is more about the new faces Bruce could include in his squad from September, with the priority on finding a new striker.[LNB] Rennes' £12m-rated forward Asamoah Gyan is still in his thoughts, although Sunderland are unlikely to agree to match his valuation.[LNB] Bruce is adamant, however, it is not just about finding the forward capable of making up for the loss of Kenwyne Jones.[LNB] This club is obviously a bigger club than many because we have a big support,[LNB] said the Sunderland boss. In terms of the region itself and I'm one of them so I can say it it's got an unbelievably high expectation. Let's be fair, it hasn't done much has it, but it still breeds this bigger expectation than any of the Midlands clubs do for instance.[LNB] But that's what I knew when I came here, it's part of the reason why I'm here, I wanted to have a go, to have a crack at it.[LNB] That's why it demands a special type of player.[LNB] You need players capable of playing in top four clubs, but you can't get them. Not just the top four, but the top six. And unfortunately we can't get them.[LNB] Since Bruce took over from Ricky Sbragia in the summer of last year, the acquisition of Darren Bent from Tottenham is an indication of the calibre of signing he prefers.[LNB] Over the course of the last 12 months he has also gone close to signing Richard Dunne, Peter Crouch and Sylvain Distin, only to lose out to Aston Villa, Tottenham and Everton respectively.[LNB] It is improving the reputation of a club without any silverware since 1973 and renowned for slipping in and out of the Premier League until the last few years that Bruce knows he still has to change.[LNB] I sincerely hope we can bring in a player to replace Kenwyne Jones. It is absolutely paramount. I hope that I can go and bring in a replacement that would be another one like Darren. That's what I've got in my thoughts,[LNB] said Bruce, who denied an interest in Bordeaux striker Fernando Cavenaghi.[LNB] It's not just going to change overnight. Ten wins in six years away from home in the Premier League is the truth, it's a fact.[LNB] We're trying to wonder what the difference is in mentality.[LNB] If somebody could tell me.[LNB] The Sunderland boss has not decided whether to include or rest Bent for tonight's visit of Colchester, but is determined to have something of a cup run this season.[LNB] Ferdinand, whose proposed loan moves to Fiorentina and Palermo broke down, is also in contention, while Michael Turner is expected to play on his return from suspension.[LNB] Anton Ferdinand will play, he said. We have fallouts.[LNB] I was disappointed with his attitude ten or 12 days ago, but he comes back in.[LNB] He's our player. It hasn't worked out for him, for whatever reason, so if he's here and we still pay him, we'll have to play him.[LNB] Bruce won the League Cup, then known as the Milk Cup, in 1985.[LNB] I did win it as a player, we beat Sunderland 1-0 in the Milk Cup final with Norwich,[LNB] he said. I've never done well in the cups as a manager. I haven't had any luck. It's an opportunity.[LNB] If you get to the latter stages of a cup competition, especially here with the support we've got, it can be fantastic for us.[LNB] It's paramount we try and do something in it here. I think it would be great for the club.[LNB]
