Bruce backs his business

Boss accepts transfer dealings are how managers are judged

By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 27th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce backs his business

Bruce: Wigan history

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Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is confident of his ability in the transfer market after Wigan chairman Dave Whelan questioned some of his signings.

The two sides meet at the DW Stadium this weekend with Whelan's comments adding spice to clash, as Bruce returns to his old club as Black Cats boss.

Following Wigan's humiliating 9-1 defeat to Tottenham last Sunday, Whelan pointed the finger at what he described as 'dodgy signings' made by Bruce in his second spell in charge of the club.

Bruce, who took over at the Stadium of Light in the summer, laughed off the remarks and, after splashing out during the last transfer window, he is adamant that his new crop of players are doing him justice.

"In management, a big part of it is that you are judged on your signings. It's a vital part of management - the biggest part, if I am being honest," said Bruce.

"The one thing you want when you do sign a few players is that they can it the ground running.

"Thankfully, the vast majority we have brought into the squad have done that. They have all had a good start to their careers at Sunderland here, so we are delighted about that."

Transfers

Bruce has brought in the likes of Darren Bent, Lorik Cana, Michael Turner and Lee Cattermole after receiving a generous transfer budget from Black Cats owner Ellis Short.

All have been major hits on Wearside as Bruce has made an impressive start at the club, and he hopes it is the beginning of a bright future.

"We are trying to build something here," he said.

"It's a big club in its own right, this one, and we are trying to do things to take the club forward."

Despite disagreeing with Whelan's judgement of his signings when in charge, Bruce still holds the Latics supremo in high regard and admits he could have led the club into Europe last season had he been allowed to keep his team together.

Bruce said: "For what he has done at Wigan, it's quite an unbelievable, remarkable story when you think where they were 30 years ago. It's an unbelievable success story.

"For 12 months from January to the following January, we amassed something like 60-odd points, which would have taken us into Europe if it had been a calendar season.

"But in the January window, we lost (Emile) Heskey and we lost (Wilson) Palacios, (Amr) Zaki decided to go AWOL and the (Antonio) Valencia deal (to Manchester United) was practically done as well, so it was a difficult time.

"But still, there you go. If we had kept them, I would have been convinced we certainly would have been in the top 10, that's for sure, and who knows, an outside chance of getting into Europe.

"Do I regret that we didn't do it? He was sensible enough to know and to have that policy, the chairman, which is quite refreshing. He knew the limitations, he knew what it was all about."