Andy Reid hails Bruce’s impact at Cats

Oct 1 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

"That has given us an extra dimension and allowed us to be more creative in the final third because we’re in the opposition’s half a lot more.

"I’d love us to play total football but we’ve got to be realistic. We’re not as good as Man United or the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea so we can’t play like that. For us to pick up results in this league we have to understand our strengths and also what we can’t do. We’ll not be going out against Man U and passing it all over the park – that is not going to happen."

Reid has changed too this season, though his transformation is more down to self-discipline than anything Bruce has done.

Much has been made of the player’s summer weight loss and, although he credits it with his improved form, he is also quick to stress he was a pretty decent player before his fitness drive.

"Even before this season I feel like I’ve had a decent career," he said. "A lot has been made about having a chat with Niall (Quinn, Sunderland’s chairman who urged him to make more of his undoubted talent at the end of last season) or being reborn or whatever this season.

"Yeah, there was an opportunity for me to kick on and do even better but it wasn’t a case of me not realising my potential. I feel I’ve had a good career but I have a chance to make it even better. So I am giving it a really good go.

"I don’t care if people talk about my extra training over the summer – no matter how much hard work I did over the summer if I didn’t have the ability on the pitch then no end of hard work would make up for that.

"I feel I can play at peak level for the full game and maybe that wasn’t always the case in the past. The manager doesn’t have to worry about subs – I feel sharper in the last 10-15 minutes of games."