Source: Northern_Echo
Bikeys warning for free-spending Sunderland
BURNLEY defender Andre Bikey has warned big-spending Sunderland boss Steve Bruce that splashing the cash is no guarantee of success.
writes DAVID GREEN.
The Black Cats claimed a pitiful points tally of 36 last season and narrowly avoided relegation from the Barclays Premier League.
The appointment of Bruce, and the huge funds he has spent on men like Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner, has encouraged hopes that Sunderland can push for a top-ten finish this season.
Yet Bikey, who joined Burnley from Reading in August, is not convinced ahead of lunchtime’s meeting between the clubs at Turf Moor.
The Cameroon international, 24, said: ‘‘Just because you spend a lot of money it doesn’t make you the best team in the world.
‘‘You can have money to spend on everything you want but let’s see what happens on the pitch because it’s about the players and the football.
‘‘We’ve got a lot of quality ourselves and we will give everything to win the game against Sunderland.’’ The Clarets famously won their opening two matches at Turf Moor, against Manchester United and Everton respectively.
However, they go into the Sunderland game on the back of successive thumpings at the hands of Chelsea and Liverpool.
Bikey added: ‘‘This club had 33 years outside of the top flight and coming into the Premier League means we are playing for everyone connected with the club.
‘‘Everything is still in our hands and we can still stay in the Premier League. It’s not going to be easy but we are lucky to be playing in this league because it is the best.”
