Steve Bruce: No regrets over Danny Collins

Jan 30 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

STEVE Bruce has been forced to defend his decision to sell Danny Collins to Stoke City even though he knows he could have done with the versatile defender this season.

The Black Cats have been plagued by injury problems across the back four and manager Bruce has identified the lack of defensive stability as the big weakness in a side which has won just two games out of the last 16.

Bruce has not been helped by an unfortunate injury to Anton Ferdinand as well as Michael Turner’s four-game suspension, but he gambled with a small squad in the summer and has paid the price since.

Although John Mensah has looked good when he plays his fitness is a constant worry – which Bruce admits is the only reason they were able to sign him on loan from Lyon in the first place.

And, with fresh doubts surrounding Paulo Da Silva’s suitability to English football given recent performances, the departure of Collins (pictured far right), who was equally adept playing at left-back or centre-back, looks like a mistake. “It isn’t something I regret,” said Bruce, who felt an offer of £2.75m for the 29-year-old was too good to turn down given the plans he had to strengthen the side with other players.

“You make decisions – and I know how popular Danny was here – you make decisions based on what is in front of you at the time.

“I thought the offer for Danny from Stoke was a good one and the decision was made at the time.

“I didn’t think we would be rapped and have the whole lot injured in defence, I have to tell you.” Collins was upset with the treatment he received from Bruce and privately feels that he was unfairly picked on by the new manager, as he looked to establish his authority in the dressing room.