Bruce's price is right
Hardly any information on future transfers trickles out of Sunderland
AFC during a transfer window. Over the past few weeks, I have had to
desperately try and read between the lines of vague statements from
Steve Bruce such as this recent one from the Sky Sports site: "We have
got a couple of irons in the fire, we have put a bid in today for a
player. I am not going to tell you who, we hope we can make inroads on
it." After that insight, Bruce helpfully went on to add: "I would
envisage we will get a couple of new faces in before the season
starts, I would have thought."
So after scouring the internet for transfer news, I'm rewarded with that.
However, I have been happy with Bruce's dealings in the transfer
market since his arrival. He has demonstrated his ability to seek out
and sign good players on free transfers or on the cheap, Paulo Da
Silva was particularly impresive for Paraguay during the World Cup, as
well as using the loan market to bring in Alan Hutton and John Mensah
last season. Darren Bent was the player Bruce spent a significant sum
of money on and he has been excellent, although this view is evidently
not held by Fabio Capello.
"striker ain't my only position you know"
I think there are a few surprises in store this summer. Club Captain
Lorik Cana has been sold quietly and an even bigger surprise came
along with news that the much maligned Daryl Murphy had finally left
for good, presumably in a convoy of Sunderland supporters happy to
drive him to Glasgow.
"ok, I haven't scored in ages, but I can do this"
Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce are obviously in the know (unless Niall
also has to put up with "I'm after one or two players so tell Ellis
I'll need a few million...") and both have stated their aim for a top
8 finish. I would be delighted with that. Such ambition is completely
realistic given our infrastructure and the finances available. I would
still be equally delighted with twelfth though, but then I'm easily pleased.
Submitted by Mark Renja
19/7/2010
