Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce hoping to sign off German tour with win
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is hoping his side can end their pre-season tour of Germany on a high when they take on Borussia Monchengladbach today.[LNB] The Black Cats play their third and final game before returning to Wearside, where they will hope to record their first win since arriving in Germany last week.[LNB] Their opening game ended in a 1-1 draw against Arminia Bielefeld, before Bruce's men went down 3-1 to Hannover 96 on Wednesday.[LNB] With nine new players having come through the door at the Stadium of Light during the close-season, the tour of Germany has played a big part in allowing the new arrivals to get to know their new team-mates.[LNB] And despite results not going in their favour, Bruce believes the tour has been a huge success in terms of players improving their fitness ahead of the opening weekend of the Premier League in three weeks' time.[LNB] He said: "This tour has been a fantastic exercise for us and we're looking to end on a high. Fitness remains our priority, but it would be nice to round things off with a win and kick on strongly into our remaining friendlies in the UK.[LNB] "With the numbers available to me I will be able to mix and match. Monchengladbach are a strong team - you have to be to survive in the Bundesliga.[LNB] "From what I know there's going to be a big crowd there and it should be a fantastic occasion for both sets of players."[LNB] Black Cats boss has also revealed he will stick with the 4-4-1-1 system he has been using during pre-season when the Premier League kicks off on August 13.[LNB] Rather than deploy two out-and-out strikers, Bruce has preferred to use the formation with one man playing in the hole behind the lone striker.[LNB] Benin international Stephane Sessegnon has impressed in that role behind the striker - scoring twice from that position already in pre-season - and he is expected to hold down that role when the season starts.[LNB] Bruce believes the system offers more protection to his defence and believes it will suit the likes of Sessegnon and Asamoah Gyan, who is expected to make his first pre-season appearance against Kilmarnock on Wednesday.[LNB] Sunderland's ticket allocation for Ritchie Humphreys' testimonial game with Hartlepool at Victoria Park a week on Tuesday has been sold out. However, the testimonial committee are working with the club and police to increase the allocation.[LNB] Sunderland youngster John Egan skippered Republic of Ireland's Under-19 team to a 2-1 win in the European Championships against Greece.[LNB]
