Steve Bruce: Hit Titus Bramble with a big stick and he plays well

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce thinks he has finally discovered the way to get the best from defender Titus Bramble -  attack him with a huge lump of wood.The much-maligned 29-year-old joined the Black Cats from Wigan in the summer for around £1m and Bruce reckons he could prove to be one of the bargain buys of the season.The ex-Newcastle man has been in great form in the Premier League so far and Bruce is determined to maintain the 6ft 2in centre half'sconsistency by fair means and foul. Hello good buy: Titus Bramble (centre) has been superb since joining Sunderland from Wigan Bruce said: ;You just have to keep hitting him with a big stick, get after him to  concentrate. That's how you keep the getting the best out of him.'You can now see a different player who has matured and that shows in his performances so far.'Wigan were happy to let Bramble leave and this is a decision they will come to regret insists Bruce. Thanks for letting me have Titus: Steve Bruce (left) shows his gratitude to Wigan boss Roberto Martinez'Titus has done terrifically well for me - for the money,at £1m, or whatever it was, it was a terrific piece of business. Whereelse do you get someone who has ten years in Premier League experiencefor that much?'Sometimes you can move too soon, especially as a centre- half but mostcentre-halves get better with games; unfortunately you can't run anymorebut experience and know-how helps.' Premier League podcast: Tune in for the latest show on the big storiesGyan was too tired to continue dancing after scoring 'perfect' goalWigan 1 Sunderland 1: Cattermole facing the chop after seeing red againKeane set to take Sunderland starlet Colback for a second spell at IpswichSUNDERLAND FC

Source: Daily_Mail