Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has defended his decision not to field captain Lee Cattermole against Stoke City on Sunday and play David Vaughan instead. The Black Cats comprehensively defeated Stoke 4-0 at home to garner their first Premier League win of the season, with Bruce pitching seven of his new arrivals in the starting line-up. Midfielder Cattermole was one of the players left on the substitutes' bench despite being the skipper of the club. And Sunderland boss Bruce explains it was done to benefit the team. Injuries "Lee Cattermole is another one who has been in and out and had two or three serious injuries," he said. "I am a big believer - and I have been in it a long, long time - that you don't really get that back until you have been back as long as you have been out. "It's normal. It's because they have had serious injuries which take them time [to get over]. The more they train and they play, they get better and better. "They need games, and Lee certainly comes into that category. Nobody epitomises what I like about a footballer more than my captain, but at the moment, it's not going too well for him, so we gave somebody else a go in David Vaughan. "He brought that little bit of composure we were looking for and had a wonderful debut. Tough decisions for Bruce, as he seems to rate Cattermole highly, but Vaughan has certainly given him something to think about, and is going to be hard to push out of the team.
I think its what Bruce had to say to try and keep everyone sweet. I would ne surprised and shocked if the midfeild is altered for as long as they play like they did on Sunday. That said it wont do Gardner and Vaughan any harm to hear Catts and Colback pushing behind them, its what we have lacked, strong competition.
Up bright and early again Syd? Don't forget we also have Meyler to return, competition is going to be strong, a bad game or two could well cost them a starting place for some time.
Sat in the BA lounge in Ponteland Airport, off to work. Personally caan't wait to see Meyler return, he was showing good form prior to his injury, if he can regain that form then Bruce has some serious selection problems.
Couldn't agree more Syd. After all the flak Bruce has been getting I think he’s had a few meetings with the boys upstairs about PR. I’m getting the feeling that he’ll explain every action he or the club takes by making a public announcement after the fact in an attempt to keep everyone happy. Personally I’d rather he keep his head down, mouth shut & he get on with the job of being a highly paid professional football manager whose actions speak louder than his words for once. As for Catts, I don't give a F*** what he thinks. If the Boss has him off the park, tell him to work harder in trainning & IF he gets a chance, make it count FFS.
I don't see a problem with any of this, and don't think now is a time to write off any of our squad members. To me, Vaughan and Gardner bossed the game on Sunday so should continue in there for the next game, and so on until injury/suspension/poor form means they cannot. Cattermole is an extra option of we need to pack the midfield against the bigger boys, and is also an excellent option coming form the bench I feel if we are ahead, but being bombarded in the last 20 minutes!! Lets not forget also that for the past 2 seasons our 2nd half of the season has been destroyed, mainly through a huge injury list. If Vaughan and Gardner are fit ever game fantastic, but we all know the likelihood is that one or both will be injured at some point and we need players with the capability of Catts to step in and do a job!
I think the press will be digging for stories and dropping Cattermole could be one so maybe Bruce had to come out and say why he did it but in 100% of Sunderland fan's eyes this decision doesnt need any explanation to us lot, fully justified and well done Brucey.
I wanted to post on sunday when I saw your line up that I bet you were gonna win the game with Catts left out, turned out that way too. Catts is a waste of space. The only thing he offers is cards, bans and controversy. Sure when you're 1-0 up in the 80th minute bring him on, much like we do with Alan Smith. They're just about as equally useful.
I really dont think we should write him off just yet. Remember when he first signed and he was absolutely superb for us. Unfortunately he has picked up a couple of nasty injuries and hasnt reached those levels since. Anyone who has suffered similar injuries will know they are tough to recover from, both physically and mentally, so hopefully he is gradually getting there, and ultimately will get back to that form. In the meantime we have Vaughan, Gardner, and Meyler coming back so no need to panic, and I am sure when injuries/suspensions/poor form kick in Catts will play an important role for us.
Unfortunately (due to the GNR) I couldn't make the game but from what I hear (and saw on Footy First!) the midfield looked much better than it has recently I am one of cattermoles biggest fans and would never say to drop him normally - but you shouldn't change a winning team - especially with enough recovery time (although I would like to see 2 up top still!!) Elmo looked good going forward and the back 4 looked solid against some pretty heavy duty attacks. Vaughan passed the ball really well and Gardner got himself off the mark. Leave it as is Brucey!!
Surely the explanation was shown in the performance. If he had dropped our main striker and we had lost 1-0 at Brighton then I guess an explanation would have been due. However a 4-0 win leaves no explanation. Funny how people choose the good times to embelish their decisions and choose to ignore them when they have gone wrong.
Agree with marcus - except the bit about the GNR (I get puffed out running a bloody tap!). You shouldn't change a winning team, and three of these midfielders are new boys so they need a little run to bed in. I must say I'm impressed with Larsson. He hasn't the silky skills of Sess (or Vaughan on Sunday) and maybe not the 90 minute player Brown is (though I've no complaints either). But show this lad one dead ball per game and opponents need to worry - a lot! I like him.
He didn't drop our main striker for Brighton - he dropped Gyan - someone who's head had been turned and had no intentions of fighting for his place at the club..... Isn't hindsight wonderful!
Another £20m from Liverpool would sway my decision on Catts lol. As i agree meyler is going to be a massive player if he can regain his form
Reading into what bruce said in that article it seems to me that bruce was playing an unfit midfielder in the first few games ahead of his new (fit) signings! and im also worried that this could be bruces way of telling the fans that he intends to bring catts back into the team against norwich just like he told us last week that he was going to play 442 against stoke and start whickham which in the end he never .... clever reverse physcology??? personally if bruce believes that cattermole needs match time to regain his fitness well i have 1 word for bruce and cattermole.....reserves bruce and the lads did excellent on sunday but i just hope he doesn't go and f**k it up by making any unnecessary changes next monday
