New Black Cats need to be ‘extraordinary’
Jun 6 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal
STEVE Bruce and Niall Quinn have targeted “extraordinary” players this summer after recognising that it takes more than just talent to succeed in the uniquely demanding world of North East football.
The list of big-name players with genuine pedigree that have floundered in the region is a long one, and Bruce recognises that his ability to unearth rough diamonds will be tested to the limit in his new role at Sunderland.
Djibril Cissé and Michael Owen are the latest established names to be added to the inglorious roll call of talented internationals who were unable to make an impression in the North East, and Sunderland are determined not to make the same mistakes that they did last summer.
Fiery characters like El-Hadji Diouf, Pascal Chimbonda and Cissé were all recruited at significant cost but none were able to settle and the first two lasted only months before being moved on.
Quinn and Bruce spent three hours talking transfer targets during contract negotiations, and the Sunderland chairman believes that his new manager’s local roots mean he has a unique understanding of the demands of playing in the area.
And Quinn, who readily embraced the pressures of pulling on a Sunderland jersey, reckons any new signings will have to prove that they have the “extraordinary desire level” that is required to make an impact in the North East.
“Steve’s experience does count for a lot in this appointment. He has polished rough diamonds up. We hope he will do that for us,” the Sunderland chairman said.
“I would say that you have to be a certain type of player to perform in the North East. There is a list of players that moving up here has not worked out for them. You do need a certain temperament and an extraordinary desire level and an ability to overcome the exceptional demand levels here.
“Steve Bruce has the scouts in the field and they are not looking for the fella who will make the back page headlines and every club in the land is chasing.
