Quinn: Bruce will be manager next season

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has insisted Steve Bruce will not be sacked even if the club are relegated.

The Black Cats ended a 14-game win-less run with a 4-0 victory at home to Bolton on Tuesday night but Bruce’s position remains a source of debate amongst supporters.

Quinn remains convinced that Bruce is the man to take the club forward - a view shared by American owner Ellis Short, who visited Wearside last week to offer his support to the manager and his players.

He said: “I can assure you now that even if we don’t win another game between now and the end of the season, Steve will be manager here next year. If we go down, he’ll still be the manager.

“Ellis is a big admirer of Steve and that continued despite the disappointing run we’ve had.

“Thankfully, he’s a realist and knows that this game can be tough.

“He knows that things rarely go smoothly in football and that there were a lot of factors such as injuries and suspensions and sometimes just the drop of the ball, that hampered us during that time.

“Ellis lets us run the business and he’s not affected by the message boards or the media speculation. He has faith in me and my chief executive Steve Walton and he has faith in the manager we thought was the perfect person to take the club forward.

“Despite the results the owner never once questioned whether we had the right manager.”

While Quinn is confident that Sunderland will retain their Premier League status, he revealed the club has taken steps to protect itself should the worst happen.

“We have got ourselves structurally very sound to deal with all eventualities,” he said. “Obviously the preferred eventuality is spending to improve the squad and move up the table.

“We do have an aim of being an established top-ten club over time, but we don’t want to find ourselves desperately losing sleep in April over whether we are going to be in this league every year.

“Nothing will hurt this club in the way it might have in the past. Anybody who comes to this club has to agree to a 40 per cent deduction in the event of us getting relegated and it’s the same for senior staff and players already here who sign a new contract.”

Stronger

The Black Cats are about to release their latest financial figures, with Quinn expecting them to reveal a £26million loss for 2008-09 - but that figure represents the most recent investment in the squad.

He said: “The accounts will show the word loss, but that should really be interpreted as extra signings. We could easily shown a profit, but we wouldn’t have [Michael] Turner, [Darren] Bent, [Lee] Cattermole or [Lorik] Cana.

Chief executive Steve Walton says the club remain on a solid financial footing with Texan tycoon Short converting a £48m loan into shares last summer.

He said: “What it means is that the money is effectively there forever and can’t be withdrawn. It has made us stronger.

“Not only did we cover investments but Ellis Short gave us money to reduce our external bank debts as well. It’s a very powerful picture going forward.”

But Quinn insists the American’s interest is more than just financial.

“He is Sunderland through and through, his family are. His son goes to school every day in a Sunderland shirt, which isn’t an easy thing to do in London. But that’s the difference in our owner,” he said.

“He doesn’t want publicity, he is not doing it to be patted on the back by fans. He is doing it because he is in there now, he is one of us.

“He is hoping there is a very big future here.”

Keown: Players should move with times

Martin Keown believes players should learn to handle the media as it will boost their chances of getting into the England squad.

The former Arsenal defender, now a BBC pundit, says today’s footballers should “move with the times” and “get out there more” to enhance their international prospects.

The England international also criticised Sky Sports News for “manufacturing” stories to fill their 24-hour rolling news coverage.

Speaking at a World Cup event at the BBC in Manchester, he said: “If you work with the media then they will look after you.

“I don’t know why, but John Terry has signed up to do a piece for the Sun for the World Cup. Now the Sun are always the first to jump to his defence.

“Wayne Rooney is being talked about as captain material because he has learned to handle the media.

“Players should definitely get out there more and move with the times because there are instances where favouritism within the media has helped some players get into the England team.”

Although he feels the media can be manipulated, Keown warns they are a “powerful animal” capable of creating public animosity towards players.

“If a player doesn’t want to do interviews they become hard work for the media,” he said.

“If they feel they don’t need you, they will twist stories and that’s quite difficult to control.

“Sometimes journalists have to be creative and find the angle other people aren’t thinking of, but Sky Sports News have to manufacture stories and some of them are not true. This kind of media is a problem.”

While Keown advocates players using the media to their advantage, he thinks managers should be concentrating more on coaching their teams.

“It’s different for managers. If a manager says too much he is fined and hauled up in front of the FA.

“Steve Bruce said too much to the media, was fined £2,500 and dragged down to London in front of a committee.

“He should have been in Sunderland with his team who had not won in 14 games and lost a day’s training. He shouldn’t have been in London.

“We saw Rafa Benitez criticise Sam Allardyce recently but he needs to forget the side issues. I believe that’s what lost them the league last season.

“Managers try to be interesting, but it’s a balancing act.”

Bruce: I’m still the right man

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is convinced his side will not be involved in a relegation fight despite extending their winless run to 14 games.

Following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham at the Stadium of Light, Bruce’s Black Cats have now taken only seven points from 42 available - a run of form that has left them three points clear of the bottom three.

At the final whistle, the 40,192 crows left Bruce and his players in no doubt of their opinion after another abject performance.

Bruce said: “We have got to handle it. The one thing here - which I know after living here - Fulham haven’t got and Wigan and Birmingham and Bolton, there isn’t the huge expectation that you have here. That goes with the territory of playing here and being able to handle it here.

“Let’s be fair, over the years, we haven’t been quite up to it. That’s the challenge and I am convinced we will get there. The concern at the moment is one thing: we have to get out of the run we are in.

“Who knows, the point we got, if we win next week - we keep saying it, if we win next week - it might be the point that takes us a couple of places up the table, who knows?

Pressure

Bruce took responsibility for his side’s awful display, but admitted there were “no excuses” for his players for “not handling the ball well enough” and resorting to “lumping the ball up the pitch”.

He added: “We need something to take the pressure off and we need to handle the huge expectation of a 40,000 crowd.

“We were nervous and edgy. We’re working hard enough but too many people are not playing well.

“If I ever resort to playing [longballs] it’s time for me to call it a day because I want my team to get the ball down and play, and we found that difficult.

“Listen, the buck stops with me. I’ve bought five or six of today’s team and it’s a difficult time but I’m confident I’m still the right man – and that we’ll be okay.”

Sunderland now have three back-to-back home games coming up and Bruce believes the fans can help their team bounce back.

He said: “They are absolutely fantastic and it cannot have been good for them at times as the team are short of confidence.

“I think the supporters recognise the nervousness and edginess of the team and I think they can play their part and help the team.

“If we are honest we have to be playing better than that and play better than we have done today and match the expectations of this football club.

“We have just got to keep together and turn it round.”

Bruce Under Pressure

Under pressure manager Steve Bruce will be hoping his Sunderland take the much needed three points aganist Fulham on Sunday .

After a promising start to the season Sunderland have gone 13 games without a win, which has lead them to slip down the league from eighth to 14th. although they have only lost twice at home this season.

On the other hand Fulham are on an impressive run after knocking out last years winner Shakhtar Donetsk in the Uefa Cup and also a league run that has seen them take ten points from a possible 12.

Cattermole

The England Under-21 star is back after his one match suspension and has described the next few home matches as most wins.

“This run of four home games is massive now – absolutely vital.”

Team News

Sunderland

Sunderland welcome back midfield hard man Lee Cattermole after serving his one match ban following a red at Portsmouth. who will add  the much needed fight if they are to survive this relegation battle.

However Jordan Henderson is still out for six weeks along with Andy Reid who could miss four weeks with a hamstring problem.

Fulham

Roy Hodgson is hopeful that his top scorer Bobby Zamora will be fit after limping off with an Achilles tendon injury on Thursday.

The Cottagers will be without Andrew Johnson, Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil.

Top Scorers.

Sunderland: Bent 16 goals overall/15 league

Fulham: Zamora 15 overall/8 league

Next Five Fixtures

Sunderland

Fulham (H)

Bolton (H)

Man City (H)

Birmingham (H)

Liverpool (A)

Fulham

Sunderland (A)

Man Utd (A)

Man City (H)

Hull (A)

Wigan (H)

Team details (probable)

Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon, McCartney, Turner, Ferdinand, Mensah, Hutton, Richardson, Cana, Cattermole, Bent, Jones.
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey; Davies, Etuhu, Murphy, Duff; Gera; Zamora.

Mensah wants Sunderland deal

Ghana international John Mensah has revealed he is keen to secure a permanent move to Sunderland in the summer.

Mensah, 27, joined the Wearsiders in August 2009 after Sunderland agreed a loan deal with French club Lyon - with the option of making the deal permanent.

A number of niggling injuries have kept Mensah sidelined for much of the season, the defender only featuring in nine games.

Despite showing signs of quality when he has played, Sunderland supporters have grown frustrated with his unability to keep fit, and many believe it will be his downfall in securing a contract.

Mensah’s agent, Fabien Piveteau has said his client’s heart is set on Sunderland.

“John definitely wants to stay. He wants to be at Sunderland next season very much,” revealed Piveteau.

“He likes the club, he loves the atmosphere of the crowd and he sees Sunderland as his future if they want him to stay. It is a loan deal but he has always wanted to stay.”

The option for Sunderland to make the loan deal into a permanent switch runs out on May 30, and Steve Bruce will be keen to get as many games as possible out of him before the season ends, in order to make his decision.

Fabien Piveteau will be travelling to the North East for Sunderland’s clash with Bolton on March 9, and hopes to hold talks with the club.

“There have been no discussions yet between the manager and John, but they have to take up an option before May 30 if they want to keep him so we will see what happens,” said Piveteau speaking to the Journal.

Meanwhile, after playing the full 90 minutes in the last match - a 2-0 defeat at Arsenal - Mensah will be looking to feature in the starting line-up at the weekend as Sunderland face Fulham at the Stadium of Light.

Mensah’s season stats:

Played     Goals      YC      RC        W*      D*      L*        F*       A*        PTS*

9               1             3        0           3          2        4          10       10           11

*Premier League Match Record details the outcome for the team of each match during which the player has entered the field of play and includes substitute appearances.

SAFC announce 2010/11 season card prices

Sunderland have announced their season cards will cost from £49 next season.

The “ground-breaking” £19 season tickets that were available to under-16s this season have been withdrawn, but the club say the new prices are the same as in 2007-08.

Fans who renew or buy a season card by April 3 will pay from £49 for an under-16 ticket, from £265 for under-22 and over-65 ticket from £380 for adults.

An eight-month interest-fee payment scheme will be available to supporters who renew or buy their season ticket before April 3.

The Black Cats have almost 30,000 season card holders and have a reputation for offering among the lowest prices in the Premier League.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn said: “Our attendances are already among some of the highest in the top flight but it’s my goal to see this stadium full to the rafters for every game.

“We’ve continued our ethos of welcoming families and young supporters with a realistic pricing structure. For an under 16 to be able to attend a game for less than £3 represents fantastic value for money and is something that I’m sure will help us to welcome the next generation of Sunderland supporters to the Stadium of Light.

“We’re making progress and that in no small part is down to our supporters. Home form is vital in ensuring the success of our football club and this season we’ve had the backing of almost 30,000 season card holders which is something that has given me a huge sense of pride.

“I’m looking forward to 2010-11 and the sharing the next part of the journey with them.”

Supporters will be able to take advantage of the new prices from March 5 and the deadline to buy or renew season tickets will be 3pm, Saturday April 3 2010. The prices will then be reviewed at the end of the current season and could be higher after April 3.

For further information supporters can visit safc.com on March 1 or call the ticket office on 0871 911 1973.

2010-11 prices for season card renewals/ new purchases valid until 3rd April:

Steve Bruce sets target for next two games

Sunderland Manager Steve Bruce has set his side a target of winning the next two games if they are to turn around this seasons terrible run of form. Read more

Cattermole to return for Black Cats this weekend

Sunderland welcome back Lee Cattermole to midfield from suspension as the Black Cats look for their first win in fifteen games. Read more

Bruce faces Cat fight

Steve Bruce: Realistic

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has admitted his side face a fight for their Premier League survival.

Following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Arsenal, the Black Cats are now without a win in 13 league games and three points off the drop zone.

Bruce’s brief when he arrived at the club in June was to avoid a relegation scrap and establish Sunderland comfortably in mid-table.

Five wins from the first nine games raised hopes of a European challenge, but one win in three months has the manager “nervously looking over his shoulder” at the bottom three.

He said: “[Ellis Short] has spent a lot of money, he backed me in the summer to try and ensure we are not involved in a relegation battle.

“But we have to remember we have finished finished fifth from bottom two years in a row. You don’t go from finishing fifth from bottom to pushing for Europe, that’s unrealistic.

“We had a wonderful start to the season, the best this club has had in 35 years.

“I think that has made our current situation seem worse. We had a big piece of luck with the beach ball incident against Liverpool but I don’t think we’ve had any since.”

Arsenal dominated from start to finish but Sunderland could have escaped from the Emirates with a draw had they been more ruthless in their finishing.

Mid-way through the first-half Fraizer Campbell failed to beat Manuel Almunia from six yards and shortly before half-time Kenwyne Jones dragged his shot wide when clean through on goal.

Top-scorer Darren Bent and substitute Bolo Zenden also spurned good opportunities after the break.

Bruce added: “We had three or four good chances against Arsenal but we didn’t put any of them away. You have to stick them away against Arsenal.

“When things are going against you, you work even harder if that’s possible.

“But I do believe it makes you stronger in the long run.

“I am trying to stay positive. We have been struck down by injuries and suspensions, but I don’t want to keep making excuses.

“I think every team in the bottom ten is looking nervously over their shoulder. We are not the only ones.

“We are trying to become an established Premier League club but we have only been out of the Championship two years.

“That is what we are trying to achieve and that’s why I came here, I wanted that challenge and I’m still relishing it. But we’ve got to be realistic.”

Bruce hopes for more time

Under pressure: Steve Bruce

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes he still has the full support of the club despite his side’s recent slide down the Premier League table.

Bruce, who arrived at the Stadium of Light in June, won five of his first nine matches at the start of the season - raising hopes of European challenge.

However, one win since November has seen Sunderland slip down the table into 13th place - three points away from the relegation zone.

Bruce said: “I understand the pressure. I’m six months into the job and you do hope you are given time.

“I said at the start I hope the people I work for, and I’m truly convinced they are, are sensible enough to say ‘hang on a minute, let’s judge the fella and give him time’.

“We need to win a game but I’m the manager that got the club off to the best start in 35 years.

“Now we are on an awful run - it can happen, this is the Premier League.”

Meanwhile, striker Darren Bent has hit out at the “ridiculous” criticism of Bruce and insists the players remain 100 per cent behind the manager.

He told The Journal: “The criticism is unjustified. I suppose it shows how quickly things turn these days.

“At the start of the season we were playing really well and people were talking about him as a possible England manager. Now all of a sudden, a few bad results and he should get the chop. It’s ridiculous.

“I can speak for every single player and everyone associated with the club when I say we are 100 per cent behind the manager.

“We are all playing for him and we’re fully committed to working under him. He’s a great man-manager, that is one of his strengths.

“He is loyal to his players and it makes you want to work for him even more.”

Sunderland’s last league victory was a 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Stadium of Light three months ago, and as he prepares for the return fixture his Saturday at the Emirates, Bruce is desperate for a positive result.

He said: “The way football is now it is my turn at the minute. We haven’t won in 12 [league] games and it is there for everybody to see.

“The one thing you have to do is remain positive. I hope we can go and play the way I know we can play and if we get a positive result at Arsenal it will give everybody a lift.”

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