Bad luck hits Cats' George McCartney again

Oct 30 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

The Sunderland boss has had a frustrating few days after a dismal weekend performance at Birmingham City was followed by a much-improved one against Villa which went unrewarded thanks to a penalty shoot-out.

The Black Cats also had a spot-kick saved in regulation play and Bruce admits the result could have been different had penalty-taker Bent been fit. “You just thought, ‘I wish he’d been on the pitch when the penalty came with three minutes to go,’ because you’re confident he’s going to stick it in the net,” he said.

“If you’re going to take a penalty the one thing you’ll do eventually is miss and there’s not a worse feeling. I’ve missed big penalties that have cost us FA Cups and (Uefa) Cups. But you’ve got to have the courage to go and take it.

“Overall we’re disappointed we’re out but I was very, very pleased with the performance.”

Meanwhile, Toluca’s Nestor Calderon is unaware of any interest in him from Sunderland, but the Mexican would welcome some. The 20-year-old midfielder, who can also play up front, has been linked with a January move.

“To tell the truth this news about me being transferred to Sunderland has taken me by surprise, because I really don’t know anything about it,” he said. Of course it’s a dream for me to play in England, it would be very important for my career. To have the chance to play in Europe is a dream and it makes me emotional to think my name is known in England, but I will have to wait.”

Paraguay defender Paulo Da Silva joined the Black Cats from Toluca in August.