STEVE BRUCE has warned that £8m whizz-kid Connor Wickham will take time to adjust to life in the Premier League. Sunderlandâs £8m signing from Ipswich scored his first goal for his new club in last nightâs 2-1 friendly win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. Bruce believes the teenager has the potential to one day be a star in the top flight, but is wary of heaping too much pressure on him too early. âIt was nice for Connor to get a goal,â said the Black Cats boss. âHe is off and running. âYou can see his attributes â he is a big, powerful lad â but we also have to remember he is only 18 years old. âHeâs got a lot of learning to do, but he has got all the raw material to work with. I thought he took his goal really well. He will be a really good player, though, and the goal will help him.â Wickhamâs goal 13 minutes from times sealed the win for Sunderland, who had taken the lead through Stephane Sessegnon only to see a free-kick from Garry Hay haul Killie level. Bruce was pleased with the overall performance and the fact that Wes Brown, Asamoah Gyan and keeper Keiren Westwood all came safely through their first pre-season outings. He said: âSome of the football we played was terrific and there is a sharpness amongst the players that is good to see. âWe keep stepping up levels as we get closer to the start of the season. But itâs not about the result, itâs about getting people through games. âWes Brown got an hour, as did Asamoah Gyan, and the keeper played 90 minutes so thatâs good news for us.â Right-back Phil Bardsley went off in the first half with a groin problem, but Bruce added: âPhil tweaked an adductor but I donât think itâs a big problem - we expect him to train in the next couple of days.â Bruce also revealed that centre-backs Michael Turner and Titus Bramble were both left behind on Wearside nursing minor knocks.
Syd you're going to have to get new specs mate, or slow your fingers down a bit when you type. Some of your last posts, I thought were in code, then realised they were typo's. TBH it whiles away some time trying to decipher them
I agree mate, just bought the Echo and Bruce is signing his praises saying his understanding of the game and movement off the ball were second to none. He also goes on to say that Sess is going to save him a fortune in the transfer market as he doesn't have to sign a marquee striker. He says they've agreed Sess's natural position is up front so he's definitely classed as a striker for the coming season.
Well, I don't care who we're playing if he does opt for 3 upfront in some games, if those 3 and even Dong can find good form there gonna be more than a handful for any defence!
