I just found this article from 2010 about SB's transfer history while at Sunderland that might be of interest. http://www.epltalk.com/is-steve-bruce-the-new-premier-league-wheeler-dealer-24966 The thing that made me look for it was Aluko's 2 year deal with City which I think is good for both parties, but it makes me wonder how Bruce managed to close the deal. The truth is that many people in football (including our own supporters) are surprised that a player of Aluko's calibre chose us when it is quite likely that Prem clubs would have eventually been interested. So has Bruce attracted Aluko here on the grounds that it will be a good English 'shop window' for him and the club won't stand in his way if the big boys come sniffing? Hence the 2 year contract. I'm not sure about this, but wasn't that his policy at Wigan, where he brought several exotic players like Palacios and Rodallega to a fairly unfashionable (and unwealthy) club with the promise that they could move on if they did well?
I'm not so sure either. Bruce has said enough times he's got a good young squad and is looking to add to that, Aluko is young and a cracking prospect. I think he's just trying to compete to get us up to be an established Premier League club; and we need good players to do that.
Wigan, unwealthy? I think that through Dave Whelan they are cash rich and able to illegally trade due to hispersonal wealth alone
It is a good point, but that is always going to be the case. If you uncover a talent, they are soon going to be attractive to bigger clubs, which is a win win situation. You get their talents whist playing for you and a good price if you sell them on.
I agree, but there's a subtle difference between a manager who attempts to get a player on the longest contract possible in the interests of the club and one who persuades a player to sign by suggesting he can leave when a big club comes along. I think virtually all of our previous managers have adopted the first tactic and as a consequence bigger name players have been reluctant to come here, whereas Bruce seems to have a bit more nous.
Exactly, and this is why a good experienced manager is worth his salt, and has the nous how to attract players without paying over the odds, as happened in the PB/PD era
