Source: Team_Talk
Bruce buoyed by big-match memories
Steve Bruce will approach his first Tyne-Wear derby buoyed by the memories of major successes at St James' Park as both player and manager.[LNB] The Geordie-born Sunderland boss will make the short trip to Tyneside determined to add to his reputation of being something of an irritant to the club he grew up supporting.[LNB]Bruce was a member of the Manchester United side which won 1-0 at St James' in March 1996 as the Magpies' seemingly inexorable march to the Premier League title unravelled, famously, along with then manager Kevin Keegan.[LNB]He repeated the dose during his time in charge at Birmingham when the Midlanders headed north in January 2007 for an FA Cup third round replay and romped to a 5-1 victory.[LNB]Bruce said: "The biggest one I can remember is '96 when they were trying to win the league and the wheels came off a little bit. We had to go up there with Manchester United and we beat them 1-0.[LNB]"Eric Cantona scored. We were a bit fortunate on the night, I have to tell you, but it was a great atmosphere, a great noise and after that win, we knew we would catch them. They were stuttering.[LNB]"I remember going there with Birmingham and beating them five in the FA Cup as well - that wasn't too bad either."[LNB]Bruce has spent the last week warning his players not to be taken in by what is certain to be a white-hot atmosphere as the visitors attempt to defend their unbeaten seven-game league run, while Newcastle go in search of a first victory in five attempts on their own pitch.[LNB]He knows from painful personal experience just how draining that can be.[LNB]Bruce said: "I remember playing in my first semi-final at Maine Road against Oldham years and years ago and after 15 minutes, I was absolutely hopeless.[LNB]"I couldn't breathe, I couldn't run, I couldn't do anything.[LNB]"I shouted to big Pally [Gary Pallister] alongside me, 'Pally, you had better be up for it today because I'm struggling', and he was even worse.[LNB]"But to be fair now, these lads are used to playing on the big occasions and hopefully we can handle the situation."[LNB]Bruce has never even watched the two old rivals lock horns, and admits he cannot wait for a fixture which will stretch family loyalty to its limits.[LNB]He said: "It's a big game coming up, they know it's a big game, and they will be supporting their son or their brother or their brother-in-law or whatever, I am convinced of that - or at least I hope I am.[LNB]"I don't know why I have never been to one, but I left 30 years ago, so I have been away a long time and have never come back just to witness one."[LNB]The game will be particularly poignant for former Magpies defender Titus Bramble, who has shed his error-prone tag in the years since he left the club.[LNB]Bruce said: "When I spoke to Sir Bobby Robson about Titus - and I am talking years ago - Titus was Newcastle's centre-half when they finished in the top four twice and qualified for the Champions League, so he couldn't have been that bad.[LNB]"He was young with a big price-tag, and the one thing about a defender, it is like an old wine, if you like, they get better with age because you get more experience.[LNB]"Certainly, that is the case with Titus."[LNB]Bramble and central defensive partner Michael Turner will have the task of trying to tame Newcastle's up and coming star Andy Carroll.[LNB]He said: "I would love to have played against him. He's big and aggressive and strong, so we know what to expect.[LNB]"Titus and Michael Turner will know that. I have to say, they are no shrinking violets either, so it should be a fantastic challenge for the two of them and it will be hard-fought, I am sure of that."[LNB]
