Source: Northern_Echo
Bruce wants more from world class Gyan
ASAMOAH GYAN will resume training on Wearside tomorrow, with Steve Bruce intent on demanding Sunderland's £13m striker reproduces his Wembley wonder-show on a consistent basis in the Premier League.[LNB] Gyan has scored ten times for the Black Cats since his big money August move from Rennes, but he has struggled to hit the heights in performance which Bruce had been expecting from him.[LNB] But the Ghanaian offered a reminder to his manager of exactly what he is capable of on Tuesday night, when he delivered the clinical and stunning blow that claimed a deserved draw against England.[LNB] Gyan's incredible work-rate and desire to put on an impressive display for his country in front of 21,000 fans of the Black Stars at Wembley was reminiscent of his outings in last summer's World Cup.[LNB] Bruce knew the 25-year-old was more than capable of such a performance, now he knows he has the challenge of trying to ensure there are regular repeats for Sunderland.[LNB] "I've seen him play well for us and score great goals but he seems to enjoy playing for his national team, he takes great pride from it," said Bruce. "We've got to try to get him to reproduce that form he showed on Tuesday because he looked a world-class centre-forward - big, strong, quick, with a trick, he can finish with both feet.[LNB] "He's just got to adapt to the Premier League. Playing in England has been tough for him but he will get better and we'll start to see Asamoah and the boy he is start to come out.[LNB] "I want him to enjoy his football. Playing for Ghana, they all seem free, and they are as a nation. Maybe we should try to get the 20,000 Ghanaian fans at Wembley to the Stadium of Light."[LNB] Bruce fully understands it can take time to adjust to life in the North-East. "It's adapting to society to the weather, the food. I'd say to anybody, I'll plonk you in Accra, and see how you get on," he said.[LNB] But he is satisfied that Gyan and his team-mates Sulley Muntari and John Mensah are comfortable and enjoying life in the region - and thinks Sunderland have an absolute gem on their hands.[LNB] "Asamoah's got ten goals for us, which is a fantastic return, but I think he'll get better," said Bruce. "When he first came there was the hangover from the World Cup, I don't think he had a pre-season."[LNB] Gyan is expected to slot straight back in to the Sunderland team at Manchester City on Sunday, while another of Bruce's players on international duty is unlikely to figure at all.[LNB] South American Marcos Angeleri played for Argentina on Tuesday night, just days after he was quoted saying: "Steve Bruce is not a nice person at all - he's a little unpleasant. He doesn't like me because I'm not English."[LNB] He is also due back to training tomorrow and Bruce is ready to discipline the right-back, although he is mindful his comments could have been misinterpreted after headlines last week suggested there was a race row.[LNB] "I don't go in to management to be liked," said Bruce. "I will be dealing with Angeleri, I will be keeping it in house. But to go down the road of this race card saddens me.[LNB] "What's the world coming to It was obscene that was thrown at me. When you look at the players we have here, we probably have one of the most multi-cultural, international squads in the Premier League."[LNB] Bruce also has to think about the future of Bolo Zenden in the next few months. The Dutch midfielder is out of contract in the summer and suggested he is unhappy with a lack of first team opportunities.[LNB] Zenden said: "In the last six games, I believe I've had about nine minutes a game. You can understand where I am at the moment.[LNB] "That doesn't mean we have to jump to any conclusions. There's still loads to come. That could definitely be at Sunderland, but it could definitely be somewhere else."[LNB] But Bruce is toying with the idea of bringing back Zenden to face City on Sunday and suggested he is keen to keep the 35-year-old on Wearside.[LNB] "I want Bolo to stay, he's vital to me," he said. "I know he wants to play every week, which I understand. There's not many 35-year-old's playing in the Premier League week in, week out. I learned a long time ago that people are going to get upset."[LNB]
