STEVE Bruce joined Sunderland with a well-earned reputation as one of the transfer market’s smartest traders, but he admits two players he inherited have been the stars of the show this season.
Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson were Roy Keane signings, and Bruce thinks the versatile pair have been the Black Cats’ outstanding performers this season.
Six months ago Bardsley’s days at the Stadium of Light looked numbered, but he has been the team’s most consistent performer this season, despite playing out of position. The 25-year-old was transfer-listed last summer, but reacted by embarking on a pre-season fitness regime.
It was not enough to earn him an immediate place in the side but in September, with first-choice left-back Richardson injured, the right-footer was drafted in at Anfield, and has gone on to make the position his own. Since then he has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract extension and made a first foray into international football with Scotland.
Bardsley’s success at left-back has also galvanised his former Manchester United youth team-mate Richardson, freeing him to play in a variety of midfield positions. The Londoner has thrived since the departure of Darren Bent, scoring four goals in as many games playing in the hole.
“Phil and Kieran for me have been our best players this season,” said manager Bruce.
“The biggest compliment I can pay (Bardsley) is to talk about what he did last summer. He only had two weeks off, then went to work on his physical capabilities. He came back like a different player.
“I have to say at the moment, if someone asked me who our player of the year was, he would have to be in and around it because of the consistency he’s shown – you only have to look at the way he performed for Scotland last week (in the 3-0 Nations Cup victory over Northern Ireland), he was only on for 57 minutes and he got man of the match. He’s playing very, very well at the moment.”
With no FA Cup game this weekend, Sunderland’s playing and coaching staff have been given four days off to recharge after a gruelling post-Christmas fixture list made more difficult by the injuries which have hit the squad. When everyone returns Bruce will open contract negotiations with Craig Gordon and Steed Malbranque, whose deals expire in the summer of 2012.
