O’Neill praise for Sunderland’s on-loan Man City man Bridge

Published on Wednesday 14 March 2012 12:22

MARTIN O’Neill has praised Wayne Bridge’s contribution on his full Sunderland debut after replacing the injured Kieran Richardson.


On-loan Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge took Richardson’s place against Liverpool last weekend and enjoyed a solid first start in red and white, helping Sunderland to a fourth clean sheet in eight games.

It was the 31-year-old’s first Premier League start since last May after being frozen out at City and being forced to bide his time for first-team involvement at the Stadium of Light following his January transfer deadline day arrival.

But O’Neill believes the former England international has been happy to be patient for an opportunity with the Black Cats after falling so dramatically down the pecking order under Roberto Mancini.

“Bridge did fine after such a long time out of the game,” added O’Neill.

“He was very pleased to have got the game and I think he’s enjoying it here.

“At least he’s involved at first-team level in the Premiership. That wouldn’t have been happening to him, with the best will in the world, if he had been staying at Manchester City.

“He has trained with us now for more than five weeks, but it was a difficult thing to step into that game from the start. He would have been a wee bit nervous, it’s all fresh again to him. But overall he did fine.”


http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...rland-s-on-loan-man-city-man-bridge-1-4342464

 

I have a feeling he will be our LB next season and TBH that would do me, I read at times how poor he is but he looked fine to me and after years with no specialist LB it would be good to have him.

I am a fan of Richardson and think he is OK at LB but further up field is far better for him.

 

If he performs in the last 10-13 games (depending on our cup run) I do think he will be our LB next season, and like Syd that would do me.

My only issue is, would he drop for 90K a week to about 30-40K?? Maybe for first team football he might.

Also would be nice to see Frankie at the SOL sometime!

 

I can’t disagree with either statement Syd but then I can’t help but add a thought to it.
Dammed if we do, dammed if we don’t comes to mind as in if he performs as well as we all want him to, will Mancini allow him to sign for us & if so do we have the budget left after getting our new striker?

 

All depends on if SAFC change their wage structure..

If they don't......well don't expect him to sign.

 

I would have preferred Nedum Onuoha, but he's a Mark Hughes boy now ...as for Wayne, I thought he was a bit scary tbh, especially in the first half -lost out to 50-50 balls, some poor clearances and gave the ball away a bit softly - he had a much more solid 2nd half though.

I need convincing.

 

I reckon they'll have to at some stage soon to consolidate as a top 10 club or else they become a feeder for top 4.

 

Sums up my thoughts and then only if he came for an acceptably low wage I think... he's surly not worth what he's on with Man City even at his best.

 

I think by the time of the summer he will have enjoyed his time here and will accept a massive wage cut to move.

Just my thoughts.

 

Lads I am quite sure Bridge is out of contract in the summer. He will be a free agent but that does not mean someone is going to pay him anywhere near 80k a week. I think with that in mind he is a possibility. I am sure MON will have a few irons in the fire so if Bridge does not come their will be an alternative.

Let's be honest if we don't lose any first choice player our priority in the summer is:

Re-sign Sess on a new contract
Sign a left back
Sign a striker

Looking at the above we could get Bridge free and Grant Holt for about 5m (who incidentally is from the north east) and then spend any other money on wages for Sess. Holt would give us 3 years until Wickham is 21 and up to speed. We would still have money in the bank for Jan if we needed cover for a serious injury or a special player for a push up the table.

 

TBH I thought Bridge was not match fit last Saturday, it is not surprising given he has had very few games. So atm I think he is a bit of a liability until he has half a dozen games, and I am not sure we have afford to give him the playing time to crank up his game performance. Having said that if Rico is injured, then the alternatives of McBardo or Colbeck to LB or even Kilgallon are not great. So bridges needs to train and practice hard to up his level!

 

I admire your patience Vegas................

As for Bridge, it's a strange one...

He does nowt till the end of the season...........we don't sign him..

He does really well, we try to take him...offer him 40k a week....some-one comes in with 50-60k a week....guess what happens....

 

It's odd how much I want Bridge to come good and ressurect his career; mind you I think it says more about how much I despise Terry than how much I like Bridge.

 

they play on opposite sides of the pitch.

 

We have got to be patient with the lad, he is only 18. 3 years hard graft and who is to say he wont be worth 35m like Mandy from up the road. He certainly has the raw talent. Even in 3 years time he will have over 10 year left in front of him.

 

So do you suggest he goes on loan?

 

Difficult one, I think for the first half of the season he should stay with us and see if he gets some pitch time in the premier league. If not then a loan to another premier league club (as long as were doing well) in Jan would be my thinking, with a re-call clause if we get loads of injuries.

Its a difficult one because I think he needs EPL game time so a championship loan will not help him. Lots of time of the bench from us with the odd start when needed and games in the cups is the way forward I think.

 

Thankfully your a lot more tolerant than me mate.....