Steve Bruce wants to bring forgotten striker Roque Santa Cruz to Sunderland. He faces opposition, however, from Scottish giants Celtic, who also want the Manchester City striker. Santa Cruz, 30, has started just eight games at City - scoring four times -since signing from Blackburn two years ago. Back then, he cost £18million, but interested clubs are now set to pay far less as City try to get the frontman - who has picked up around £8m in wages during his spell at the club - off their books. Sunderland boss Bruce has already signed rising striking star Connor Wickham from Ipswich this summer to boost his attacking options. But he sees Santa Cruz as an experienced alternative to Ghana World Cup star Asamoah Gyan. Spanish sides Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano are interested in signing the Paraguay international on loan, but City are said to have dismissed their offers as insufficient.
Watched him a couple of seasons back at Blackburn. In 07/09 he was on fire scoring around 30 in 70 odd games & was impressed by his workrate. His World Cup last year was by his standards very poor. To be fair at Citheh he's never really had a chance with all the constant changes going on. Could be worth a chance as he know's how to put it into the net.
For 2-3million and fair wages, we cant do wrong really. At least he is experienced and thats something we need up front.
TBH Matty, Bruce in or out is not my worry right now, its what you have said, we need an experienced goalscorer and I really fear without one.
So long as we actually play them. I still reckon we wont spend much money. Bruce mentioned loans earlier in the window, and I can see some close-to-deadline loans being made for a striker and a left winger. Ive given up on left back.
Not sure he is the answer. Do we really need a striker that has not played much and will take time to gel at this moment in time? We certainly need a striker but I also think we need to solve the left side problem. The defence doesnt fill me with confidence after last nights performance - we need a left back. More importantly we need to play players in their natural positions. Bruce needs to take a hard look at his tactics.
Back to th OP. Just looked up his stats & for Paraguay he's scorded 5 in his last 21 games. At City only 3 in 20! Looks like he's on th out for cert.
I mentioned this a couple of days ago, and a lot of people said he'd be a waste of money. My jury is still out on him, if his head is in the right place i think it will be a good deal.
We should buy him, if we can get him cheap for the experience he can bring. Maybe I`m just being optimistic but my gut instinct tells me, we`ll ok when Wickham & Ji get settled in. Can`t come quick enough though, Bruce needs results now or his position is untenable.
We need someone, and who knows, maybe a change of scenery will do the lad good. He was superb at Blackburn, and i'd argue that the Blackburn side he played in was of a similar make up to our current squad, was a solid side with a couple of very good players in the mix. Worth a punt,as there ais little by way of alternative.
Always been overrated but cold possibly be a ten goal a season player. I'd take that at the moment because I can't imagine where we're going to get a goal from.
Just answered Simon of the unwashed on another thread so may as well quote it here. To me he is one of those players when things aren't going his way, he goes into hiding.
BUT, we have seen the almost constant quality from Seb, it would surely play to RSC strengths? And is the alternative nothing?
That's one of my biggest problems mate I'm at a loss to suggest anyone else who would deign to come to the ends of the known world, that is the NE of England. Capello thinks we are part of Scotland FFS! In years to come young Connor could turn out to be Bruce's finest hour. All the more reason he should have started for the Brighton game. We still don't know as fans what he can actually do.
I can't help but look at Shane Long's start at WBA, i was one of a handful that said he was worth the punt. I look at SKP 4 in 3 for Blackpool and think, hmm (i know this one's a bit doey eyed, but still...). I look at Adrian Mutu, trouble, yes, great striker, oh yes, 650k to Cesena. There have been options, surely Bruce KNEW he didn't intend starting Whickham & Ji?
