STEVE Bruce says the biggest challenge facing him at Sunderland is dealing with the weight of expectation from supporters, writes GRAEME ANDERSON. The Black Cats’ boss confesses to being bewildered at the early-season pressure he finds himself and his players under, especially considering the club is in lower mid-table rather than in the relegation zone. And he fears that those expectations could yet prove to be his toughest opponent as he works to improve the club’s fortunes. “There’s a huge, big expectation here – an expectation that you would expect from a Champions League side,” he claimed in the wake of sporadic shouts of “Bruce out” when Sunderland shipped two early goals against West Brom on Saturday. “I don’t know where it comes from – probably the size of the crowd and the passion of the place itself. “But Sunderland were 10th last year – only the third time in 50 years they’ve finished that high – so I don’t know where I’m going too far wrong. “It’s not as if we’ve fallen away – not as if we’ve been qualifying for the Champions League year in, year out.” His new signings, too, have been taken by surprise at the fans’ hunger for success. “There’s still a couple of them scratching their heads about the club and realising what it is all about playing up here,” said the manager. “I think the Birmingham boys, in particular, have been surprised at the expectations, but, whatever the pressures, I’m determined that I won’t let it distract me from what I’m trying to achieve here.” He cited the presence of Nicklas Bendtner at the Stadium of Light as tangible proof that Sunderland are growing as a club and heading in the right direction. For the second game in a row, the on-loan Arsenal man was the best player on the pitch and Bruce pointed out: “We’re fortunate he chose to come here. “Two or three years ago, with the clubs that came in for him, I don’t think we would have got Nicklas. “There were five or six clubs he could have gone to in the transfer window, but he chose us.” Now Bruce plans to do for Bendtner, what he did for Danny Welbeck last season – bring his full talent to the fore. “Nicklas has got all the classic qualities of a top player, but occasionally he can’t help showing off and showing he’s the best player on the pitch. “We need him to get that element out of his game and allow him to be as good as he can be. “And I think we’ll do that – I think we started to see the best of him against West Brom. “He’s a larger than life character, full of confidence and I think Sunderland fans will love him. “The challenge for me will be can we keep him here? Can we buy Bendtner? “Because I believe that, like Danny Welbeck, he’ll improve when he plays more and more games in his preferred position.”
this is just an old interview rehashed - parts of it were written about last week - "2 players scratching their heads" i am sure that was Brown and Oshea and was already in an article last week.
why regurgitate things from monday Published on Monday 3 October 2011 12:30 pretty sure its been posted before now. http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport...bruce_puzzled_by_great_expectations_1_3832695
Sorry everyone, first time ive seen it as the Sunderland Echo web page been playing up! Haha, ill shut up then!
The trouble is that if Bentdner scores 20 + goals this season Arsenal will want him back or he will cost big money, and if he does not do it will Bruce have to start again finding a new striker plus a left striker to replace Kenwyne. He has made some great signings like O'Shea, Brown and Sess possibly Whickham ( i would like to see him play for 90 min). And Bruce said our expectations are high, but they have been since 1973 and we finished 7 th twice recently so he has to beat that to even start to talk about 'expectations', and what in the next 5 years what are the goals for the club?, mine is champions league football, or the f a cup. We are not Man c, Man u, or Chelsea standard yet, but may not be far behind your Arsenals, Spurs etc. I would love to get Danny back but he has established himself with Rooney etc now. I reckon if we had the right manager he would have kept Bent etc, and other players like him would have come here. Who could/would do the job for us? Ancelloti, Hughes, Pullis, O Neil.
We dont expect Champions League and after the second goals there was disbelief around me, not shouts of Bruce out. Bendy seems easy to me, make his signing permenant in January
I think Bruce clearly got his words mixed up here because the only expectation I have with Bruce in charge is championship football, not champions league. How many fans here on this forum expect champions league football? Probably none... Another quote which has no basis in reality... What we do expect is not to lose 10 out of 12 homes games and perhaps make a good fist of challenging for a Europa league spot and with the size of the stadium why not have that expectation? Perhaps selecting a striker in a cup game and beating teams like Brighton and Notts County too although the latter is a big ask I do appreciate that. Don't know what comes from where? Nobody here expects champions league football Steve, however we do expect a team that doesn't lose 10 out of 12 home games or to be thrashed by Newcastle. If you don't know where expectation comes from Steve how are the players going to recieve the type of message that will motivate them to reach the Europa league? Sounds like everybody is all a bit confused Steve... Perhaps Wigan is a job where your understanding of expectations is more adequately attuned!
Seriously though the jorno's are of such poor quality that all they do is cut'n'paste "old news" to give their new opinion on something that has then been taken out of context so many times that's it's now complete bull s*** & a new rumour starts Probably why I'm watching the Rugby WC more
