Bruce fed up of 'typical' Cats

Manager heralds return of lynchpin Cattermole

By Danny Wright   Last updated: 18th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce fed up of 'typical' Cats

Bruce: Frustrating form

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce says it is time the club lost their 'typical Sunderland' mentality after a rapid decline in form.

After establishing themselves as a Premier League fixture, heavy investment in the summer from chairman Niall Quinn and the appointment of Bruce, it seemed the Black Cats had the grounding to make an assault on the top half of the table.

Following a tremendous start, Bruce's men have floundered badly and have won just once in their last eight outings.

And away from the Stadium of the Light, Sunderland's form provides grim reading with just one point gathered since the opening day win at Bolton.

Sunderland travel to play Manchester City at Eastlands on Saturday, a difficult game that is certain to provide another stern examination of Bruce's side.

"You are only ever as good as your last game and that's the frustration of football, especially, in my experience, in the Premier League," Bruce explained.

"You are going along very, very well... we beat Arsenal a month ago and looked at the fixtures and thought, 'What a great opportunity'. We had a great win against Arsenal and shot ourselves in the foot against Wigan and Fulham in particular.

Frustrating

"Some would say - and a steward told me the other day - that's typical of Sunderland. It's typical, and that's what we have got to try to change.

"I have got to try to change that mentality and that's going to take time. But it is frustrating for us."

Defeats to Wigan, Fulham and Aston Villa have seen the Black Cats slip to 10th in the table, kept in the top half only by a superior goal difference to Stoke's.

The Potters have a game in hand on Sunderland though, whose poor run of form has coincided with the absence of stalwart midfielder Lee Cattermole.

The £6m summer signing made a return as a substitute in the defeat to Aston Villa and the 21-year-old is certain to go straight back into the starting XI with captain Lorik Cana suspended.

Bruce made no secret of his admiration for the player he has twice signed as a manager, and insisted starting him against Mark Hughes' side would not represent a huge gamble.

"He epitomises what I want in the team and what I want in a footballer," said Bruce. "I have bought him twice and he hasn't disappointed me at all.

"He did exactly the same for Wigan as what he does for Sunderland. He gives the whole place a lift.

"He is a good player, not just because of his energy and his tackling ability, but also as a footballer too.

Gambling

"I am not gambling on him at all. He has been out eight weeks and in the last two or three weeks he has been phenomenal in his work-rate and his desire."

Sunderland's task is not helped by a major question mark over injured defender Michael Turner, who is struggling with an ankle injury.

The former Hull City defender will undergo a late fitness test and could join the banned Cana on the sidelines.

Discipline has been an issue on Wearside this season, with Kenwyne Jones, Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley all sitting out matches due to suspensions.

But Bruce insisted his side are not a dirty team, and bemoaned the disciplinary record that has seen his options restricted during a difficult period.

He added: "The one thing I can't condone is all the stupid stuff. We have had two sendings off - Kenwyne and Kieran - which were silly and they have been punished, and rightly so.

"To be fair to the two of them, they have accepted it. But you couldn't say we are a dirty team. We are far from it. That's what I can't understand."