Niall Quinn is hoping players improve
Jun 10 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
NIALL Quinn has challenged Anton Ferdinand and Kieran Richardson to develop into full England internationals under Steve Bruce.
Quinn has singled the pair out as two who will benefit from Bruce’s arrival at Sunderland as he underlined his determination to keep them at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats did not realise their potential last season and while Ferdinand and Richardson were two of the better players over the course of a difficult campaign, Quinn believes they have plenty more to offer.
With Bruce in charge, Sunderland’s chairman is confident they will have a manager who can help them develop as players and people over the next few years.
He said: “We’ve got some players with a lot of promise and potential and I think Steve will make men out of them. We will shuffle the deck this summer, but we haven’t started a major clearout.
“Player selection is down to Steve, but we’re confident we will keep all of our best players. If our players have anything about them, they will want to stay at Sunderland and be a part of what is happening here.
“This is an opportunity for them to take another big step forward in their careers under Steve Bruce.
“For those who are on the fringes of the national squad – Anton Ferdinand and Kieran Richardson – they should be looking at becoming full internationals next season.
“They are two playerswho will really get the bit between the teeth and Steve will be great for their careers. Let’s see where it will go.”
Quinn is still basking in the glow he felt at poaching Bruce from Wigan Athletic last week and he admitted the successful appointment was proof he is also
improving as a chairman after three years at the helm. “I’m feeling invigorated and I’m raring to go,” said Quinn, who is already trying to act to sign the players Bruce has recommended since he was unveiled as manager.
“I’ve learnt a lot over the last couple of years and I think I will be a much better chairman for learning from that experience. I will see dangers coming a lot quicker. We hope for a less stressful campaign next time. I’m sure it won’t be stressless, that would be too much.
“We’ve given ourselves a chance, though, with Steve Bruce and it’s particularly pleasing to get him in so early in the summer so we have plenty of time to work on transfers and things.
“We threw ourselves straight into it. We didn’t want to play games with Wigan and let it go on for six weeks as sometimes happens. We acted pretty swiftly. Steve Bruce wanted to come and that set everything on its way.”
And Quinn admitted he is struggling to fit a summer holiday into his busy schedule.
If he does get away it will only be a short break as he wants to do everything he can to help Bruce get the team he wants for next season.
He added: “I’ve not gone on holiday yet, there is still too much work to do. There is no real rest because you are on the phone and meeting people. A lot of clubs are shuffling the deck now and it’s early. They are yet to deal and it will be a bit cagey for a while.
“The important thing to remember is that we already have some very good players at this football club and it will be interesting to see what effect Steve has on their careers.”
l OLDHAM Athletic have confirmed they will host the Black Cats in a pre-season friendly. The Boundary Park game has been scheduled for Saturday, July 25 at 3pm. The Latics are now managed by former Darlington boss Dave Penney.
