Steve Bruce faces a signing struggle

Jul 20 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

STEVE Bruce admits Sunderland will still struggle to lure big-name players as Peter Crouch prepares to sign for Tottenham.

The striker travelled to the North East last week for talks with Bruce after the Black Cats had an offer accepted by Portsmouth, but it is extremely unlikely the England international will become a Sunderland player. The 28-year-old spent the weekend talking to Fulham, but it is the entrance of Spurs boss Harry Redknapp into the race to sign him which is likely to spell defeat for Bruce in his ambitious attempt to sign such a high-profile player.

Although Bruce spoke excitedly about Sunderland’s potential to sign world-class players when he became manager in May, he is encountering

plenty of problems making those deals happen. “I don’t know if I can get the top stars to come to Sunderland,” said Bruce, who took his side to Portugal this weekend for a friendly against Portimonense.

“I’ve huge respect for the previous managers, maybe they didn’t have the finances available – you’d have to ask them. But certainly we know geography is always going to be a problem that’s for sure.

“But people from the outside should look at what the club wants to do, the facilities we’ve got, playing in front of 45,000 every week in a big stadium and the ambition of the club – in particular the new owner. Then I hope they can be exciting times.”

Although Sunderland look as though they are going to fail in their move for Crouch with Redknapp declaring his interest over the weekend, Bruce insists he is still looking for another striker after the capture of Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United.

He said: “It’s about bringing in the quality rather than the quantity. I could easily go and buy 10 or 12, but I want to make it better. To be fair to Roy (Keane) he brought in some good players.