Source: Northern_Echo
Meyler stars on debut for Cats
STEVE BRUCE admits that with nine first team regulars suspended or on the treatment table his squad is down to the bare bones.[LNB] But that made yesterday's draw with Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers such an important result for the Sunderland manager.[LNB] His team showed that even without Lee Cattermole and Michael Turner they are a match for the most physical outfits in the Premier League.[LNB] David Meyler, making his Premier League debut, was typical of the spirit displayed by Bruce's team, who have stabilised their recent poor run by taking successive draws against tricky opponents.[LNB] The 20-year-old Irishman was one of four untested products of the Sunderland Academy handed a place in the squad as a flurry of injuries stretched Bruce's resources to the limit.[LNB] Kenwyne Jones failed to shake off a calf strain and late withdrawals by Steed Malbranque and Andy Reid exposed the worrying lack of depth in Sunderland's squad.[LNB] Tellingly, only Meyler played any part in yesterday's encounter against Allardyce's side, who displayed all of the worst qualities that have become associated with his teams.[LNB] Bruce clearly has faith in the youngster, who refused to wilt despite Rovers trying their best to bully him out of the game.[LNB] After the game Bruce was full of praise for Meyler, saying: We have plenty of players out. We are down to the bare bones.[LNB] To come away with a point at a place that is difficult to play at is credit to the lads.[LNB] I thought young Meyler was outstanding and coming through a game like that can only stand him in good stead.[LNB] In an ideal world you would hold some of the younger ones back but it was a case of needs must.[LNB] Bruce admitted that after being involved in one of the games of the season in their seven-goal thriller against Manchester City nine days ago, Sunderland's latest away encounter was not a display to support claims that this is the best league in the world.[LNB] A lively second half offered some goalmouth thrills including an embarrassing miss by Rovers defender Chris Samba but the Black Cats boss admitted that the opening 45 minutes at Ewood Park were a dreadful advertisement for the top-flight game.[LNB] It was the worst game I have ever witnessed in the first half, he noted. If you'd asked the 22 players to keep the ball away from each other they wouldn't have been able to![LNB] Second half, with tiredness and fatigue, with two games in three days, it produced a spectacle. We have deserved a bit of luck. That miss (by Samba) will be on a few Christmas videos.[LNB] I am delighted we got something, despite our problems.[LNB] We are disappointed taking the lead twice not to have won the game. We have been frustrated in the last five six weeks. Our home form is OK, but that is only our fifth point away from home.[LNB] Bruce again had Darren Bent to thank for ensuring that Sunderland took something from the game and said: Darren has done terrifically well. He has been a breath of fresh air.[LNB] He was delighted to come to us. He has had a wonderful start and we now need to help him by getting others scoring.[LNB] Bent's brace took his tally this season to 13 Premier League goals with a close range blast and a more cultured finish that showcased his full range of goalscoring prowess.[LNB] It was one of our better performances away from home, said the striker.[LNB] We're disappointed to lose the lead twice but the main thing is we showed great character not to get beaten away from home.[LNB] The first goal was a typical striker's goal where I was in the right place at the right time and the second was a good team goal courtesy of a good ball from Jordan Henderson.[LNB] When you're in that position you just have to hit the target.[LNB] Sometimes you can have too much time in those situations and that's where things go wrong, but I just got the ball down and tried to hit the target.'' He added: We would have taken a point before the game but afterwards we were a bit disappointed in the changing room. We need to get out of this away form and I'm sure once the first win comes we'll be fine, but we can take great heart from the second half of this game and take it from there.[LNB] It's a difficult game here because it's not like they play free-flowing football, but they're effective at what they do. That's Big Sam for you.[LNB]
