Black Cats boss hails ‘the new Roy Keane’

Aug 14 2009 by James Hunter, The Journal

Like Keane, Cattermole is known for his combative style, which earned him two red cards and 10 bookings last season.

But Bruce sees that fierce competitiveness as a strength rather than a weakness.

“When I was playing, there were tons of midfield players like him,” he said. “He’ll pick up a few bookings, but he’s worth it. There’s still room to be aggressive. Look at other teams – they’ve all got them. Mascherano and Gerrard at Liverpool, Man U have got a few.” Bruce also revealed that, despite Wigan’s public stance that they did not want Cattermole to go, his successor as Latics boss, Roberto Martinez, was privately receptive to Sunderland’s attempts to prise the England Under-21 international away from the DW Stadium.

“It’s no secret that we made a bid about four weeks ago but, contrary to reports, we were given some encouragement,” said Bruce.

“I spoke to Roberto and he didn’t dismiss the idea totally and if we could get to the right figure, there was always a chance that it could be done.

“I think Roberto wanted to add a few players of his own and he used the situation to get some money in and bring those players he wanted in, which is fair enough. And once I got that encouragement, I pursued it and didn’t let it go.

“We got there in the end and I’m just delighted we have now got the boy to Sunderland.” Bruce is still looking to bring in another centre-back before the transfer window closes at the end of August, with Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin understood to be his top target.

He said: “We hope that we can add maybe one more, but I don’t think it will be before tomorrow. If we can, that will be great but if we can’t then I am still very pleased with the business we have done.

“It’s been a busy six weeks and my phone bill is astronomical! I think we all just want the window to close now.

“But I’ve been very pleased with our business – we’ve brought in two England Under-21 internationals in Cattermole and Fraizer Campbell, the captain of Paraguay in Paulo Da Silva, the captain of Marseille in Lorik Cana and we’ve smashed our record transfer fee on a proven goalscorer with Darren Bent.

“I just now need to make it work and make sure the players gel.”

Bruce also confirmed that defender Da Silva’s frustrating wait for a visa is finally at an end and he is on his way to the UK.

Da Silva has been unable to join up with his new teammates since signing as he waited for the paperwork to be completed, with his documents being passed back and forth between Mexico – where he has played for the last six years – and the British Embassy in New York.

Bruce said: “Da Silva has got his visa stamped and he is en route. He’s been stuck in Mexico for 19 days waiting for the paperwork to be done but it’s finally happened and he’s on his way.”