Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce fears players are ‘mollycoddled’
STEVE BRUCE has happily embraced innovative techniques that have increased the fitness levels of the modern footballer, but the Sunderland boss feels change has not automatically improved the game.[LNB] Over the course of the last 20 years the sport has developed significantly, with players' diets scrutinised and their off-the-field behaviour examined more closely.[LNB] Bruce was part of the Manchester United squad that was told to adapt to ideas introduced by Sir Alex Ferguson, which paved the way for massive changes to the way other managers and clubs approached match preparation.[LNB] The Black Cats boss has been happy to instil similar methods and beliefs in to his own managerial style, but he does think progress has not all been beneficial to the game.[LNB] The days of youth team players cleaning the boots of their senior pros appear to be being fazed out, while he fears professional footballers have little to do now because everything is made easy for them.[LNB] It has changed. We all have to admit that the one thing you have to change, is to change with the times. I have to do it, said Bruce.[LNB] There's nobody more old school than me, and when you see what you get up to you go Wow, that didn't happen when I was a player'. But you do engage it, we do try to learn.[LNB] We do have dieticians, fitness instructors, the best of nutritionists, everything is laid on a plate now. We give them no excuse. We have the best training grounds, the best travel, food, everything.[LNB] In my day my mate Kevin Drinkhall would be having a fag at 20 to three, but it didn't stop him getting 20 goals a year. There is a danger they are too mollycoddled, even here.[LNB] Sir Alex changed all the diet stuff. He was way ahead of the game. He was the first to have dieticians, fitness instructors and all that stuff, he was in the forefront. When I first arrived at Man U it was bangers and chips, you'd never get that now.[LNB] Bruce is full of admiration for the way Academy manager Ged McNamee and his assistant Kevin Ball install rules in to the young Sunderland players at the Academy of Light.[LNB] But he does believe that, speaking on a more general viewpoint, players should still have to learn the hard way.[LNB] Anyone coming here as a young kid of ten-year-old, putting Sunderland strips on and playing against Liverpool and Man U on a wonderful surface, in lovely surroundings, with heated floors must think great, said Bruce.[LNB] In my day it was a cold shower, concrete bloody floors and changing in the car occasionally. It doesn't necessarily make them better.[LNB] The young lads still do their bits and pieces like cleaning boots but it's not like it used to be. Blooming heck, you'd get done! To be fair, Ged and Kevin have a respectable young group and we try and keep that respect.[LNB] What sparked Bruce into reflecting on the changes that have occurred in recent times was the professionalism Bolo Zenden has shown throughout his career.[LNB] He turns 35 next summer and outlined last week an intention to keep on playing for as long as he can, claiming he has always worked hard to stay in shape.[LNB] The Dutchman's contract is due to expire at the end of the season and Bruce has already hinted he could prolong his two-year stay on Wearside, urging Sunderland's younger generation to take note.[LNB] I would think Bolo has aspirations of management, he's that type of person. He takes as much in as he possibly can and also we take a bit in from him as well, said Bruce. That's why I made him the club captain, so he could come in and have an opinion.[LNB] We value his experience.[LNB] That and the way he is has made him a top player. His was possibly the easiest contract I've ever done here. It's not a case of money with him, I think he just wants to play.[LNB] Even last year I wanted him here. He hadn't been a regular but he's going to play 20, 25 games for you and be involved.[LNB] And it's not just what he does on a Saturday, it's during the week that's vital as well. He's a great link between them all.[LNB]
