Steed Malbranque to start but Bruce has warning
Mar 9 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal
Malbranque is a mercurial talent and a tricky character to handle for a manager, but he also has the priceless ability to unlock a defence when he is in the side and fully focused, a quality Sunderland have obviously lacked in recent weeks.
Bruce, though, has been frustrated by the lack of energy and a cutting edge from the 30-year old after a bright start
to life under the new manager and he had already made his feelings known before the nightclub incident.
Malbranque was also only on the bench against Arsenal before his late-night antics, with Fraizer Campbell preferred on the right flank.
His performances have also been particularly poor away from the Stadium of Light and Bruce may well look to move him on in the summer, presuming a buyer can be found, if he feels the player’s heart is not in it on Wearside.
That stance could shift if Malbranque manages to impress over the course of the last two months of the season, although he has a lot of work to do as big changes will be made in the summer, presuming Sunderland manage to avoid the drop.
BURNLEY manager Brian Laws is relaxed ahead of two home games which could shape the club’s season.
Laws’ side face Stoke tomorrow followed by fellow strugglers Wolves on Saturday.
With 14 defeats in 15 league games on the road, Burnley know their form at Turf Moor is likely to determine whether they stay in the Barclays Premier League for a second successive year.
Laws has enjoyed only one win in eight top flight matches since replacing Owen Coyle but insists he is not feeling the strain.
He said: “These are not pressure games, although we know and understand what they mean. Pressure games are the last of the season when all depends on it.
“Have a look instead at the teams who have spent a fortune and are down at the bottom end. They are twitchy.
“The pressure is mounting heavily on them and they are panicking. We should not be panicking. We should be enjoying it and we are. Everyone outside of Burnley expects us to get beaten every week.”
