all about defenders...

TITUS Bramble wants to make up for lost time when he returns to Sunderland’s starting line-up against Chelsea on Saturday.


The big centre-back has yet to feature for Sunderland this term and admits he was gutted not to be included in the opening-day game at Liverpool.

Bramble has since come to terms with the manager’s way of thinking – accepting that, after a long injury lay-off, he probably needed more time to recover his sharpness.

But the former Wigan defender (pictured) insists he is now fully fit and itching to get his 2011/12 campaign under way.

He said: “It has been disappointing not to play any games so far this season, but I can see where the manager was coming from – I didn’t have a great pre-season.

“I played in games, but my performances weren’t great at all.

“I was rusty.

“So, looking on the positive side, I think the extra few weeks work on the training ground will prove to be beneficial and hopefully, come matchday, I am going to be 100 per cent ready.”

With Bramble and Michael Turner both feeling the strain after long-term knee injuries, manager Steve Bruce chose to pair new signing Wes Brown with Anton Ferdinand at the heart of defence in the first four games this season.

The pairing worked well, with Ferdinand producing arguably the most consistently good football of his time at Sunderland alongside the former Manchester United star.

But Ferdinand was in the final year of his contract with the Black Cats and, when QPR made a £3m bid on transfer deadline day, it proved to be too good an offer to turn down.

“Football is a crazy game – we all know that – and you don’t know what is happening from one day to the next,” mused Bramble.

“We are all disappointed that Anton has left because he is a great guy to have around the dressing room.

“He would get us up before games and if we’d had a bad day he’d get us up afterwards

“But he has gone now and we have to get over that.”

Though Ferdinand may have departed, the recruitment of Brown and John O’Shea from Manchester United has added a wealth of experience and ability to Sunderland’s back-line and Bramble says that can only help the Black Cats as they look to build on last season’s 10th-place finish.

He said: “Anton has gone, but we are still strong because there is competition between myself, Michael Turner, Wes Brown and John O’Shea and we all want to play.

“Wes and John have played at the best club in the world for many years and they have all won lots of trophies and international caps.

“So players like those are great to have in the squad. You can learn a lot from them.

“That competition is good for the team because we want to improve every year, and that means aiming to finish, I don’t know, seventh or eighth this season.”

O’Shea, who played at right-back in Sunderland’s goalless draw at Swansea 11 days ago, is facing a race against time to be fit to face Chelsea after dropping out of the Republic of Ireland squad this week with hip and calf problems.

Turner has played only a handful of games since injuring his knee in a collision with a goal post 10 months ago. He has not figured at all so far this season and is still some way off a return


O'Shea not ruled out yet!!!!!!!!!
Bardo played last night.
Bramble returning..
If all this happens to plan the back four picks itself.......a lot relies with O'Shea.

Seems everyone was miffed by the Anton sale.

 

I wasn't really miffed by the Anton sale as he was in the last year of his contract - no other reason - we cashed in on him while we could - makes good business sense really - get a few games out of him before the deadline and sell him on deadline day. We are in no debt because of him as Short cleared that debt when he joined.

I wan't glad that he went as a footballer but glad that the club didn't do a Newcastle and let him go for free after a big initial outlay (Barton/Owen anyone)

I'm looking forward to the game this weekend - can't see us getting anything (guarantee if we manage to look like winning the ref will find something to either make it almost impossible for us to win or make it easy for them to score - he'll probably send Mignolet off for punching the ball (the one time he commits to and makes a cross so far this season!!)

Expect nothing then antyhings a bonus really. Good performance will do

 

It's sure to be Brown and Bramble in the centre?

As you say, Comm, the rest depends on whether O'Shea is fit for the game. If not, it'll be Bardsley on the right and Richardson, or possible Colback, at left full back.

Personally, i'm not too concerned with the defence. I'm more concerned with midfield and attack. I can see Bendtner starting alone up front! That won't get us far.

 

Iv'e just done another thread about the forwards, and how happy i would be, how-ever a decision like this would instantly change my mind.

It's football suicide with the players we have imo.