Source: Team_Talk
Webb offers wise words to Cats
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has drafted in World Cup final referee Howard Webb in a bid to rein in his repeat offenders.[LNB] New captain Lee Cattermole picked up the 10th red card of Bruce's tenure in Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Birmingham, and will sit out this weekend's trip to West Brom along with defender Michael Turner, one of two Black Cats to be dismissed at Wolves on the final day of last season.[LNB]Sunderland have collected more than 90 cautions during Bruce's time at the helm, and the manager turned to Webb after deciding enough was enough.[LNB]The 39-year-old Yorkshireman, who produced 14 yellow cards and one red during Spain's World Cup final victory over Holland, spoke to the players after training today and Bruce is hopeful such guidance will do the trick.[LNB]He said: "We have had 10 red cards now since I have been here in a year.[LNB]"If my maths are right, that adds up to every four games we are having somebody sent off, which is ludicrous and we shoot ourselves in the foot with it.[LNB]"It's hard enough to win a Premier League game, let alone with all these silly and stupid and avoidable red cards we are picking up.[LNB]"So we have had Howard Webb here today giving a talk to the players. We have spoken about it repeatedly and we must improve on it, because it is hard enough playing a Premier League game, let alone trying to do it with 10 men.[LNB]"When you get somebody of Howard's calibre coming up and giving his time, the one thing the players will do is listen.[LNB]"They will listen to it and hopefully take a little bit of advice and learn from it."[LNB]Bruce was critical of referee Anthony Taylor's decision to book Cattermole for his first offence against Birmingham, but had no complaints about the second for a tackle from behind.[LNB]The former Middlesbrough and Wigan midfielder could be forgiven for feeling his reputation goes before him, and that his club is rapidly earning a similar reputation.[LNB]However, Bruce insists discipline must improve and improve quickly.[LNB]He said: "Whether they [referees] are tagging us or not, the statistics are there.[LNB]"Out of the 95 bookings we have had in a year, a third of them are for dissent, which has got to stop.[LNB]"We have picked up 10 red cards. Anybody who has watched us (knows) we are not a dirty team, but there is obviously a petulance and that has to stop.[LNB]"We have to make sure we grow up a little bit and be better behaved.[LNB]"I had a team at Birmingham which should have had a skull and crossbones on their strip rather than a logo.[LNB]"There were some individuals there who were difficult to manage, but I never had this situation, so I don't know what it is. But you look at the red cards and it is costing us dearly.[LNB]"That's what we must improve on and that's what we are trying to hammer home, and believe me, we will get there eventually."[LNB]Meanwhile, Bruce is awaiting positive developments with Anton Ferdinand and George McCartney, who are both surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light, but dismissed suggestions that Andy Reid could be allowed to leave.[LNB]He was coy when asked about further signings, with Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan and Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia heavily linked with the Black Cats.[LNB]Bruce said: "I have said I would still love to do one more bit of business if I could, and that's still ongoing - one or two."
