Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce accepting the need for improvement
STEVE Bruce last night admitted Sunderland will have to improve markedly on their Carling Cup display against Colchester if they are to record their first Premier League victory of the season against Manchester City at the weekend.[LNB] Bruce was at the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday night to watch Roberto Mancini's side produce an accomplished performance as they brushed aside Liverpool.[LNB] Last night, the Black Cats boss watched his own side labour to a 2-0 victory over League One opposition thanks to two goals from Darren Bent, both of which owed much to the failings of Colchester goalkeeper Mark Cousins.[LNB] Bruce is happy to see his side in the third round of the Carling Cup, but admits they will have to go up at least a gear or two if they are to make it two wins in succession on Sunday.[LNB] We have to get better and we will do, said the Sunderland boss. It's not that long ago that I was purring after the opening hour of the season, but we all know we have to take another step up.[LNB] We certainly need to be better than that at the weekend, that's for sure.[LNB] We've made huge changes again and there were two or three people out there who really needed a game. They've got that game under their belt now.[LNB] Despite kicking off with a strong starting line-up, Sunderland failed to outclass a Colchester side currently lying ninth in League One.[LNB] Both of their goals came from goalkeeping howlers Cousins failed to reach Bolo Zenden's long ball at the edge of his area before dropping a free-kick from the same midfielder and Simon Mignolet was forced to make three useful saves to prevent Colchester discovering a route back into the game.[LNB] The only real positives we can take out of it are Bent scoring a couple of goals which will do him the world of good, and the fact that people like (Michael) Turner, (Kieran) Richardson and (Lee) Cattermole have got another game under their belt, Bruce admitted. In terms of that exercise, it all went okay.[LNB] Apart from that, though, it's difficult. You must pay a huge compliment to Colchester.[LNB] They are big, strong and well-organised and they made life hard for us. We had a difficult evening.[LNB] Bruce has also had a difficult few days in the transfer market, with his attempts to strengthen his squad having so far failed to come to fruition.[LNB] Rennes are refusing to reduce their £12m valuation of Ghana international Asamoah Gyan, but Bruce last night dismissed speculation linking him with West Ham striker Carlton Cole.[LNB] He remains determined to sign a direct replacement for Kenwyne Jones, who left in an £8m move to Stoke City a fortnight ago, but admits he is unlikely to have anyone in place ahead of Sunday's home game.[LNB] At this stage, I would think that's unlikely, he said.[LNB] There's not really been any movement in the last few days, nothing has changed.[LNB]
