Bruce - Bramble's no shambles

21 March 2009 12:36
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has hailed the rebirth of defender Titus Bramble.[LNB] The former Ipswich and Newcastle man has proved a constant source of ridicule for the media due to a series of high-profile errors during his nine years in the Premier League.[LNB]The mistakes have seen him branded 'Titus Shambles' in the newspapers, but after an exceptional season for Wigan in the heart of defence, Bruce feels that the 27-year-old may have finally shed the tag.[LNB]"He was everyone's laughing stock," admitted the Latics boss.[LNB]"When you analyse Titus, I think he was probably too young getting a big move to Newcastle.[LNB]"If he went to Newcastle now for £5.5million he would probably be equipped to do it. He has always had talent. He is big, strong, powerful and is a good user of the ball. [LNB]"Central defenders get better with age and it is about being in the right position, not making mistakes and, most importantly, concentration, and the concentration levels with Titus have improved unbelievably."[LNB]Contract concernsAlthough Bruce clearly believes in Bramble's ability to succeed with another high-profile move, the Wigan boss will be loath to risk losing the defender for nothing by allowing his current deal to run ever closer to expiry.[LNB]"I think Titus has 18 months left on his contract and I'm going to look at the situation over the next two or three weeks," added Bruce.[LNB]"The last thing you want to do is find yourself in the situation we did in January when four of the five who left were in the last year of their contracts.[LNB]"Ideally, you would love to get your best players tied up so I'd be looking at Titus and Emmerson Boyce, in particular, as they both have 18 months left."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports