Bruce ready 'dangerous' liason with Laws

16 April 2010 13:28
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insists Brian Laws' Burnley side will be dangerous opponents, despite their lowly Premier League position.[LNB] The two men, who learnt their football at the famous Wallsend Boys' Club and travelled to Burnley together as they tried to make their way in the professional game, will go head-to-head at the Stadium of Light with the visitors desperately clinging on to their Premier League status.[LNB]Burnley are currently four points adrift of safety and would remain inside the drop zone even if they won at the Stadium of Light despite last weekend's stunning 4-1 success at Hull.[LNB]But friendship will go out of the window as Bruce attempts to guide his side to the victory which would finally mathematically confirm Sunderland's continued presence in the big time.[LNB]He said: "I have known Brian a long time. He is from the area - I played at the same boys' club as he did, and I know the sort of pressure he was under.[LNB]"After the horrible defeat against Manchester City, for his team to go and win 4-1 away at Hull just shows you what a crazy game we are in and how dangerous the game will be tomorrow.[LNB]"If we are not tuned in, like we were against Tottenham or in our last few home games, we are going to come unstuck.[LNB]"It's quite simply because they are fighting for their lives, and that will give them a bit of confidence.[LNB]"It's given them a lifeline and it will give the a belief that if they can take something from us tomorrow, then they have got a chance."[LNB]Laws voiced the tongue-in-cheek hope earlier this week that Bruce and his players might already be on the beach by tomorrow, but he has been warned that will not be the case.[LNB]The Sunderland boss said: "I keep hearing that quote - well, tell him from me that we won't be. There have been 40,000 tickets sold already, so they will make sure we are not."[LNB]Whatever else is at stake tomorrow, the game will back memories for two men who can reflect on just where they have come from since they first met.[LNB]Bruce said: "When you are a kid, to go on and be a footballer and then to manage in the Premier League, there's not many of us.[LNB]"As snotty-nosed, horrible little kids from Wallsend, we both haven't done too badly."[LNB]But while Laws will be concentrating on survival, Bruce is hoping for a positive finish to his first campaign on Wearside to lay the foundation for further progress next time around.[LNB]A mid-season lull, which saw them go 14 league games without a victory, has left them fighting to achieve their aim of a top-10 finish, but the former Manchester United defender is confident they are on the right track.[LNB]He said: "If we finish strongly enough, it is going to be one of those 'nearly' seasons - but I do believe there has been progress and we are striving to be established as a major Premier League club."[LNB]Bruce will look for quality rather than quantity in the summer transfer market, but with five men currently out on loan, he does not expect to increase the overall size of his squad.[LNB]He said: "I only ever want to work with 23.[LNB]"Now, the idea is that you have 23 a bit like Chelsea have got. That's the prime example, you have 23 of a similar ilk.[LNB]"It's never going to be possible, I don't think, but I would rather work with something like that than a squad of 35. I can't see the point in that at all.[LNB]"I don't know how you keep them all happy - it's bad enough with the ones who don't play now."

Source: Team_Talk