Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce is left to rue Cup exit
STEVE BRUCE was last night having to come to terms with more than just a third round Carling Cup exit after learning that three of Sunderland's defeated players are doubts for Saturday's trip to Liverpool.[LNB] Bruce's feelings were summed up at the final whistle when he threw his water bottle down in the technical area in disgust as the Black Cats failed to deliver against West Ham United.[LNB] Despite Asamoah Gyan's second goal for the club on his first start, the Black Cats struggled to cope with a Hammers team intent on winning away from home for the first time in 23 matches.[LNB] And, courtesy of a goal in each half from Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna, West Ham secured a place in round four.[LNB] It was a disappointing outcome for Bruce, who had spoken of his hopes of doing well in this season's competition, and he suggested that his team's anemic display was down to his failure to freshen things up.[LNB] We were flat from the first whistle, we looked off it, said Bruce, whose side had secured a point against Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League.[LNB] I stuck to more or less the same team as we fielded against Arsenal. I should have made more changes to freshen things up.[LNB] West Ham made seven changes to their weekend team, but no excuses. I have high hopes to do well in any cup competition but it's not going to be our year. That's it.[LNB] Sunderland's players were once again booed off at the final whistle for failing to make progress, something which Bruce will not be worrying himself too much about this morning.[LNB] The fans pay their hard earned money, said Bruce.[LNB] They were disappointed.[LNB] It's crept in to the game over and over in recent years, when they don't see their team winning.[LNB] Bruce had bigger worries last night. He will assess Kieran Richardson, Anton Ferdinand and goalscorer Gyan this morning after all three picked up problems.[LNB] The biggest concerns are the hamstring complaints picked up by Richardson and Ferdinand, who had to withdraw in the first half, while Gyan also faces an anxious 48 hours after suffering a knock to his ribs and feeling a hamstring niggle.[LNB] That's why people do change their teams for these matches, said Bruce, ahead of Saturday's trip to Anfield.[LNB] We will have to pick the pieces up.[LNB] Asamoah has had a bit of a hamstring strain, he picked up a knock in the first six minutes. The idea was to get some fitness work in to him.[LNB] He is not as bad as Richardson or Ferdinand.[LNB] George McCartney, meanwhile, could be on his way to Leeds on loan after Bruce confirmed that the two clubs are discussing the terms of the deal.[LNB] McCartney has become surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light under Bruce, with Richardson, Paolo Da Silva, Nedum Onuoha and Phil Bardsley all preferred to fill that role ahead of the Northern Irishman.[LNB]
