Steve Bruce to scour the planet for signings

Sep 25 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

“It was a coincidence that a month ago there was a Wallsend Boys’ Club side over here playing one of our teams because it had been arranged for a long time and I met (coach) Peter Kirkley, who has been doing it for the best part of 35 to 40 years, and it was nice to see him.

“Eventually when I get more settled I will invite Peter over for a cup of tea and thank him because let me tell you, he will know all the best players in this area bar none because nothing gets past Peter.

“The only thing is that he does a bit for the black and whites as well!” Bruce’s excellent record in the transfer market was one of the major reasons for Sunderland turning to the former Wigan boss to replace Sbragia, and his first forays into the transfer market have improved the Black Cats’ scope.

On first viewing John Mensah looks like a real find, while Lorik Cana and Paraguay skipper Paulo Da Silva have added to the squad.

Bruce believes that South America remains a fertile breeding ground for potential players because the youngsters on that continent are brought up to battle for everything.

“Here the players are absolutely ruined. we have got the best of pitches, best of food, the best of everything,” Bruce sid. “Sometimes they think they have made it before they have and that can be a problem.

“South America is still a bit primitive. So it puts something there to achieve. To get better you have to have a better training ground and better facilities that’s for sure. We have proved that often enough – but still your grounding stays with you.

“The problem we have got when it comes to that part of the world is work permits.

“I could go over to Argentina and Brazil tomorrow and buy ten players for two million quid just like that.

“That would be very easily done but you can’t get them in because of work permits and the regulations.”