Recently by Steve Brown
STEVE BRUCE insists Benjani is NOT a ready-made replacement for Kenwyne Jones.
Sunderland finally sealed a four-month loan deal for the Manchester City striker, after the Premier League accepted their explanation - that club computers crashed - for failing to provide necessary paperwork before Monday's transfer window deadline.
But while Jones continues to be linked with a big-money move to Liverpool, Bruce said: "You can seen a lot of similarities between the style of Kenwyne and Benjani.
DISAPPOINTED by another false dawn, George McCartney admits Sunderland have regressed just at the point when he expected them to move forward.
If the aim of Europe is to be attained, he stressed the Black Cats must make a swift return to winning ways.
After victory over Arsenal last month, the Northern Irish international anticipated something of a Premier League "take off" for the Wearside club.
DARREN BENT deserves his England chance. Phil Bardsley suspected as much in March.
The Sunderland striker was called up for tomorrow's international friendly against Brazil in Qatar last weekend, despite missing a penalty in his side's 2-0 defeat at Spurs.
Such setbacks do not bother Bent, Bardsley believes, insisting his team-mate boasts a confidence in front of goal to match his record. He has eight goals in 12 appearances this season and, Bardsley says, now has his just reward.
ANTON FERDINAND admits inconsistency has kept him out of the Sunderland team - but insists he relishes such periods out of favour and the opportunity they provide to display the mental toughness that WILL restore him to the starting line-up.
The 24-year-old was a late substitute at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday but has not started for the Black Cats since the 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City.
Yet, inspired by the similar experiences of brother Rio, Ferdinand Jnr is determined to fulfil his sibling's wish to see him achieve even more than him.
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is closing in on a January deal for Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa.
The Black Cats boss is set to use the international break to try to agree a deal in advance for a player he bought for the Latics, and then hopefully hold talks with Figueroa and his Monaco-based agent.
Currently nursing a knee injury which will keep him sidelined for around three weeks, Figueroa is understood to be keen to link up with his old boss at the Stadium of Light.
CRAIG GORDON has been told he will bounce back "even stronger" from his latest injury.
The Sunderland keeper fractured his forearm during Saturday's defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and looks set to be sidelined until after Christmas.
The setback comes as a particularly bitter blow to Gordon, only recently recovered from a hip complaint and, before that, knee surgery.
SUNDERLAND have stepped up their interest in South American strike pair Humberto Suazo and Salvador Cabanas.
Steve Bruce is using the current international break to check on a number of potential transfer targets.
And the Black Cats boss had scouts watching Suazo and Cabanas in their respective World Cup qualifiers over the weekend.
ANDY REID insists his international career is far from over, as he admits to loving life in the "best" Sunderland side he has played in.
The Republic of Ireland have crucial World Cup qualifiers against Italy on Saturday and Montenegro four days later, but Reid has not figured for his country since falling out with coach Giovanni Trapattoni just over a year ago.
The Italian had questioned Reid's form and fitness, leading to reports of a late-night row following the Republic's World Cup qualifying win in Georgia.
PHIL BARDSLEY has warned Sunderland they must eliminate the inconsistency that, even at such an early stage, threatens already to define their Premier League season.
Having spent in the region of £30m overhauling the squad he inherited in the summer, Steve Bruce unwittingly or otherwise sent out a message that suggested the Black Cats mean to put the days of struggle, of yo-yoing between the top flight and the Championship, behind them.
Indeed, such is the mediocrity that makes up much of the Premier League that armed with new recruits of a different calibre now, some have been tempted to reason that Sunderland could challenge for a place in the upper reaches of mid-table.
STEVE BRUCE insists he has no reservations about pitching Trevor Carson into Sunderland's Premier League clash against Hull City tomorrow after admitting to having been "very impressed" by the 21-year-old goalkeeper.
And with a similar injury crisis overshadowing the left-back slot, with George McCartney sidelined by a hamstring strain, the Black Cats boss has again defended his decision to sell Danny Collins, while revealing he will choose between John Mensah, Paulo Da Silva and Kieran Richardson to fill the role.
Bruce hopes to have one of his "big" keepers fit for the weekend, but Craig Gordon missed Scotland's midweek World Cup qualifier against Holland with a thigh injury and Marton Fulop is suffering from a heel problem.
Recent Comments
"Sorenson didn't save Shearer's penalty until the following seson, unless the rain impaired my vision..."
"I wonder what would happen if we were forced to abandon music concerts for instance? this decision w..."
"S.B. will not be held to ransome !!! There are much bigger better quality fish in the sea ? I would ..."
"They are gaining vital experiances with their respective loan Teams ? and doing quite well...... We..."
"not a bad idea, though i'd like to see Waghorn come back. ..."
"It's sad when players have to leave, but he's in this quandry because he's not good enough..."
"europe ? dont think so !relagation fight on hands now i fear, long hard winter ahead , squad not up ..."
"Fulham up next !!! Is it going to be the start of some thing special for the Cats ? We are not that..."
"Its very much a case of onwards and upwards We keep the pressure on others who will fall by the ways..."
"Thanks John - I see what you mean about the rough and tumble aspect of Steve Bruce's side, but I thi..."