Steve Bruce upbeat as Crouch ponders move

Jul 21 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“We are happy to have agreed a fee with Portsmouth and happy that Peter came up to talk to us about the move,” Bruce said.

“We have given it our best shot in trying to convince him that Sunderland and the North East is the right place for him, the right club at the right time. In that sense, we are content that we have done our jobs. Now we can only leave it with him and let him decide.”

He added: “I’m convinced that moving to Sunderland would be a great move for him. He would be a great signing for us and I remain hopeful because I’m excited about what we could do with him.

“We won’t push him for a decision because it’s up to him to make his mind up when he’s thought things over.

“But I would expect that we’ll probably have some information on how things stand very soon.”

While Bruce hopes to add Crouch to Sunderland’s band of strikers, he is also looking forward to the chance to work with new boy Fraizer Campbell, who will join up with his new team-mates after the Amsterdam tournament.

The England Under-21 striker was signed on the back of months of homework by Bruce, who was tracking the forward when he was at Wigan.

“I first watched him on a horrible night when he played for Hull against Barnsley,” said Bruce. “I think it was on TV but I went to the game to watch him, it was the middle of winter.

“The kid stuck out like a sore thumb – his attitude, application, pace. He’s only young and I was an inch away from getting him. I was in the hotel when Tottenham nicked him off us (Wigan) last year when he went there as part of the Berbatov deal. He should have come to Wigan then and, for me, that would have been better for his career.

“I’ve always monitored and watched him and I think this is the perfect stage for him, he’ll be terrific. I saw him play against Liverpool for Tottenham, watched him numerous times.”