Quinn hoping for tougher mentality

Jun 4 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

NIALL Quinn believes that Steve Bruce will instill the fighting spirit and togetherness that Sunderland were missing last season.

The delighted Black Cats chairman revealed that Bruce was always Sunderland’s number one choice for the job – and backed him to transform the club’s ‘mentality’.

And far from being a hindrance to his ability to do the job, Quinn believes Bruce’s North East roots will enable him to bring in players capable of performing in a region where demands and expectations are high.

“Throughout Steve Bruce’s football career, he epitomised what being from the North East was all about,” said Quinn. “He knows what this club is all about and if he can get that steel running right through this club, we will be on the right track. We had an average of 40,000 supporters at our home games last season and we just stayed up, but at times we lacked that passion … everyone knows that.

“There’s been a lack of mental toughness running through this club, but I’m sure Steve can attract the right characters and add that to this club.

“Steve will bring a professionalism and strength of character to this club that will really help to bring us forward to where we all want to be,” Quinn said. “He knows more than anyone what football means to people of this region and I’m confident he will be able to instill into our players exactly what it means to play for this football club.”

Bruce has utilised superb contacts and an extensive scouting network that stretches into South and Central America to make a success of managerial postings at Birmingham and Wigan, and Quinn sees those as key to pushing the Black Cats forward.