November 2010 Archives

As another transfer window approaches Steve Bruce is already starting to twitch. Old habits die hard and Sunderland's manager just loves a bit of transfer action.

I don't think there is a manager in England - oh alright Harry Redknapp trumps him - who likes to wheel and deal as much as Bruce and as injuries start to cause problems on Wearside he will be trying to persuade the board to give him some money to spend like Oliver pleading for gruel.

There were a few things which worried me about Newcastle United's defeat at Bolton Wanderers and I'm not even talking about the result because that was, ultimately, due to the things that worry me!

There was an air of arrogance and complacency about the Magpies at the Reebok Stadium.

There were plenty of players walking around with their chests puffed out at the weekend with that unique, peacock strut professional footballers have, but there was nothing to back it up.

This is starting to feel like something exciting is happening at Newcastle United. It may be more by luck than design, it might not last, but rarely can United fans have been more pleasantly surprised by their football club.

If the 5-1 thrashing of Sunderland was a once in a lifetime opportunity to revel in the demise of their local rivals, the 1-0 win at Arsenal was just as rare and tasted just as sweet.

I know the North East means a lot to a lot of people. I know it is THE game of the season and I know the prospect of listening to Newcastle United fans banging on about 5-1 wins for the next 20 years makes a Sunderland heart sink, but it still shouldn't mean Steve Bruce loses his job.

Bruce has taken a right old battering this week as some supporters use the derby demolition as an excuse to kick their manager's achievements on Wearside.

As ever, a sense of perspective is needed. When you are in pain, you lash out, normally at those who are closest to you and Bruce is an easy target.

I don't think I've ever seen a Sunderland side play so badly under Steve Bruce and I'm hard pushed to remember a better Newcastle performance under Chris Hughton. It was an amazing derby clash that is assured of a prominent place in Magpie history.

Kevin Nolan obviously walks away with the man of the match award, but there were so many candidates in the United side. Nobody put in anything less than an 8 out of ten performance which says everything about how dominant they were

For anyone who predicted a Black Cats victory - and that includes me - there is plenty of egg to wipe off, but I still can't quite believe the Wearsiders were as bad as they were.