Cats’ remodelling continues as Bruce displays ruthless streak

Aug 29 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

THE latest stage of Steve Bruce’s wholesale Sunderland rebuilding programme has effectively consigned the complacency of last season to the history books.

Bruce spoke of making a ‘statement of intent’ when the Black Cats shattered their transfer record to bring Darren Bent to the Stadium of Light – but the decision to allow Danny Collins and Grant Leadbitter to leave Wearside sends out an equally important message.

Clearly, the comfort zone too many Sunderland players lingered in for too long last term is off limits at Bruce’s Black Cats.

Collins was actually the best performer during last season’s tortuous stumble towards safety, but that has not saved him from a cull which has broken up the team which limped to a flattering 16th place in May.

The two-time supporters’ player of the year has been a regular starter and a terrific and articulate ambassador for the club over the past two seasons, but he was negotiating with Stoke City yesterday as the Sunderland boss closed in on defensive reinforcements he believes can improve his team.

Not for Bruce the cosy familiarity of ‘softly softly’ predecessor Ricky Sbragia, who ran the dressing room like a democracy and often appeared to select players on reputation alone.

That has gone, replaced with cold, hard logic and a set of standards which no player is permitted to dip below.

Is it mere coincidence that the defender is set to leave after Bruce and Collins exchanged fiesty words on the touchline last week?

Probably. But the fact the Sunderland manager saw fit to revisit the confrontation in his post-match press conference suggests it irked him. Bruce is more genial and good-natured than former team-mate Roy Keane – but his bonhomie hides a shared ruthless streak.