Bruce wants a change of mentality

Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009 by PA

Steve Bruce has warned his players Sunderland will not be considered a big club until they develop a big club mentality.

The Black Cats head into the Carling Cup third-round clash with Birmingham still smarting from their 3-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at Burnley.

Not for the first time this season, the Wearsiders turned in a Jekyll and Hyde display at Turf Moor, dominating the first half despite conceding a needless penalty, but then succumbing after the break as substitute David Nugent took full advantage of their lack of consistency.

Sunderland's inability to perform for 90 minutes is becoming an increasing concern for Bruce, who was stunned by their capitulation at the weekend.

He said: "I don't know if it's complacency or naivety, but certainly if we are going to be a big club, we must have a big club mentality.

"We have to go to places like Burnley and get a result. For long periods, I was very, very happy.

"The consistency level is definitely the key, but it's disappointing that after such a good start, we fell away.

"It's something we have got to put right. There have been times this season when we have played well in patches.

"If we are going to grow the club, which undoubtedly we will, the mentality has got to change.

"You can't be just great in the first half, it's got to be the full 90 minutes, otherwise you get punished."

Bruce's players will have an early opportunity to put things right against one of his former clubs when City arrive at the Stadium of Light with a place in the fourth round at stake.

A much-changed Sunderland side beat Norwich 4-1 at Carrow Road in the previous round when midfielder Andy Reid turned in an excellent individual display.

He has since forced his way into Bruce's Premier League starting line-up and the manager is certain to shuffle his pack once again.

Teemu Tainio, Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter have all left the club since the win over the Canaries while Bruce has confirmed summer signings John Mensah and Paulo da Silva will be handed their first starts at the Stadium of Light.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish insists there is absolutely no animosity between him and Bruce.

The pair go head-to-head at the Stadium of Light with relations between Birmingham and the former Manchester United defender still strained to say the least.

Following six successful years at St Andrew`s, Bruce parted ways in November 2007 due to instability in the boardroom as speculation over Carson Yeung's initial prospective takeover dragged on.

His future at the club became unclear as a new contract offer was taken away, paving the way for his move to Wigan, a move which was only completed following a bitter pay wrangle and a war of words over an image rights clause.

It is ironic that Bruce should put out the welcome signs as Yeung finally prepares to complete his takeover of the club almost two years on, with David Sullivan and Karren Brady set to say goodbye within weeks.

But as relations between the Sunderland boss and Birmingham's hierarchy provides most of the pre-match talk, McLeish has spoken fondly of his relationship with the man from whom he inherited his side.

"We're good pals, he's a neighbour in the same village," said McLeish, with Bruce still owning a house just outside Birmingham.

"Our paths have not really crossed because of how busy we are, with him being up in Sunderland most of the time.

"But I gave him a lift home from a managers' meeting at the beginning of the season at Old Trafford.

"We had a good chat about things and he's enjoying his life up there; he's done fantastic, he's made a good start and they have a squad I can only be jealous of.

"But we've not had a chance to have a beer together would you believe, despite me being here a year and a half, because we're so busy."

McLeish does not have the option of resting players with his squad ravaged by injury.

Sebastian Larsson (hamstring) is a recent addition to the injury list, while full-back Stephen Carr has suffered a recurrence of his thigh problem.

James McFadden (thigh), Cameron Jerome (ankle), Franck Queudrue, Gregory Vignal, Marcus Bent (all hamstring), Martin Taylor (ankle), Lee Carsley (back), Damien Johnson (strain) and David Murphy (knee) all remain unavailable.

Liam Ridgewell is expected to return at left-back having made a quick recovery from a broken leg, while there may be a debut for Giovanny Espinoza.