<a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/news/west-bromwich-albion/image/9573833?term=steve+bruce" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view3.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9573833/west-bromwich-albion/west-bromwich-albion.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9573833" border="0" alt="The Hawthorns , West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland, Premier League 21/08/2010 Sunderland Manager, Steve Bruce shrugs towards the linesman Photo Marc Atkins Fotosports International Photo via Newscom" width="500" height="623"></figure></div></a> 
Yesterday’s result at Anfield has seen a lot of chatter around this and other Blogs, mostly negative and mostly about Liverpool. However, two teams played yesterday and after an odd set-back (for my money you kick a ball when it’s still you’ve taken the free-kick) Sunderland were Liverpool’s equals. Steve Bruce has done an excellent job picking up the reins from Ricky Sbragia after Roy Keane’s Irish experiment. Sunderland are almost unrecognisable from that time but they have maintained a high level in the Premier League, they may not be challenging for Europe just yet but on the evidence of this season and last they will be very soon. The main factor behind this revival has been the influx of Niall Quinn’s money and the exceptional way that Steve Bruce has used it.
Harry Redknapp lost it when he was referred to as a ‘Wheeler-dealer’, the reaction from everyone else seemed to be a bit of an over-reaction but that he was right to feel aggrieved as he was now a Champions League manager. If he is no longer worthy of that tag then his natural successor must be Steve Bruce. Over the last 3 years Steve Bruce’s transfer record is enviable in the quantity and quality of the players brought in. They may not all be gems but Bruce has brought some very good footballers to these shores that may not have had the chance otherwise.

The key to a successful ‘wheeler-dealer’ is to use all the resources at your disposal positively. Whether it be free-agent signings, small acquisitions, transfers for the future or blockbuster moves a true wheeler-dealer will use all of these to improve his football club. Something that Steve Bruce has done continuously over the last 3 years. Though I must be clear, whilst Steve Bruce maintains the overall responsibility for transfers his scouting network has been instrumental in all of the below. These people will very rarely get the kudos but bear in mind that Ricky Sbragia did not leave Sunderland when Bruce arrived but took up the post of chief scout.
When Bruce took over at Wigan in November 2007 it was after some animosity at his previous club. Wigan improved under Bruce after a disastrous reign under Chris Hutchings and in his first transfer window he showed the pedigree of his scouting network and his eye for a player. Wilson Palacios was already in England at Birmingham but made a permanent move to Wigan, he was joined by fellow Honduran Maynor Figueroa. Wigan finished 14th that season in the summer Bruce continued to show his keen eye in the transfer market signing Lee Cattermole and Amr Zaki. Zaki caused the most interest of these signings as he was a complete unknown, however according to mysterious FIFA rankings he was the best striker in the world. Zaki roared off to an unbelievable start but off the field problems affected on-field performances and he ended the season with a whimper. Lee Cattermole was a tenacious young midfielder whose stock rose throughout the season.
The January of 2009 saw the vindication of Bruce’s transfer policy as he made a tremendous profit on Wilson Palacios, Bruce re-invested the money in another unknown in Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian striker has not been prolific but his pace and ability has made him a main-stay in the Wigan team beyond Bruce’s reign. In the summer of 2009 Bruce moved to Sunderland where under Niall Quinn he was given money to go with his transfer reputation and he did not disappoint. Bruce set about pruning the team in places selling Chopra, Edwards and Danny Collins. He used that money to bring in Bruce old boy Cattermole, Michael Turner from Hull and Frazier Campbell. In the first of a few surprisingly ambitious signings Bruce brought in Marseille captain Lorik Cana (whose one year in England was as good as it was brutal) and in one of the transfer stories of the summer bringing in Darren Bent. Darren Bent has been a revelation at Sunderland finding the form he had for Charlton in the North-East, scoring the bulk of the teams goals he is key to their continuing success. It can be no surprise that Bent was instrumental on Sunday scoring two goals but it wasn’t all about him as other Bruce signings showed their class.
Coming into this season, Sunderland continued their ambitious ways. The biggest story of course was the eventual signing of World Cup star Asamoah Gyan, the signing of Gyan can be seen as a risk in the same mould as Darren Bent and if they get the same result Sunderland could be the team to overtake Everton, Aston Villa and even Liverpool. Gyan was the star attraction but Bruce also made moves to strengthen the team around him. John Mensah’s loan was made permanent, he also brought in Titus Bramble, whose reputation has soared since his mistake’s (on the pitch) have cleared up. However the biggest surprises of the season so far have been the performances of two unknowns. Steve Mignolet was a 2 million pound singing and was thought to be the back-up to Craig Gordon, however an injury to the scot forced the young Belgian to step in and he has done a fine job. In front of him though has been the transfer that not even I noticed, as another Egyptian has stolen the limelight under Bruce. Ahmed Al-Muhammadi is on a season long loan at Sunderland and has shown exceptional talent so far, his pace and crossing ability have made him a very useful winger in England and Darren Bent has fed off of his deliveries. Ably supported by another loan pick-up in Nedum Onuoha, Sunderland have threatened down the right in every game.
Through free-agents (Zenden), loan signings (Onouha), domestic based players (Cattermole), international players (Mignolet) and blockbusters (Gyan, Bent).&nbsp;Steve Bruce has quietly built a very good squad at Sunderland and their results this season have been more impressive than their 10th place position is indicating. Sunderland have already played Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City and it could be better if Lee Cattermole could control himself. &nbsp;If the team can play like they did at Anfield for the majority of the season &amp; keep 11 men on the pitch, Sunderland could be the surprise team of this Premier League season and it will all be built around the ‘Wheeler-Dealer’ in Steve Bruce – but I wouldn’t say it to his face just yet.

Is Steve Bruce The New Premier League &#039;Wheeler-Dealer&#039;?

Is Steve Bruce The New Premier League &#039;Wheeler-Dealer&#039;? - World Soccer Talk

Is Steve Bruce The New Premier League 'Wheeler-Dealer'?

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-13556" src="/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/england-v-USA.jpg" alt="england v USA" width="298" height="134"></figure></div>
Simon Kuper and Stefan Syzmanski titled the American version of their new book Soccernomics (review is <a href="http://epltalk.com/soccer-by-the-numbers-soccernomics-reviewed/13261">here</a>), but their title for the&nbsp;release in the UK is Why England Lose.&nbsp; In the book, Kuper and Syzmanski identified the US as a rising power in soccer and England as a permanent disappointment to their rabid fans.&nbsp; With all the caveats that their analysis is designed to look at trends over time and not the outcome of one game, the June 12 match-up between the US and England in South Africa will be a mini-test case for their theory.
Kuper and Syzmanski believe that national team greatness is based on three factors – wealth, size and experience.&nbsp; For purposes of this argument, England and the US are equally as wealthy.&nbsp; The soccer playing male population over the age of 12 is probably a little larger in England, but the US is catching up fast and will probably surpass them any moment now.&nbsp; However, it is in experience where, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is outgunning England.
Kuper and Syzmanski define experience as the collective different types of soccer under which a team and its coaches have played.&nbsp; For example, one of the main reasons for Brazil’s success, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, is that their players have played in a large variety of leagues all over Europe.&nbsp; The Brazilian team is full of players who play in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, and other great leagues in Europe.&nbsp; When he was considered the best player in the world, Ronaldo was a one man soccer travel guide.&nbsp; He had done a stint in Holland (PSV), two tours of Spain (Barca and Real Madrid) and two tours of Italy (Inter and AC Milan).&nbsp; By experiencing these different leagues, and learning how to master them, Ronaldo made himself unstoppable.
Conversely, Kuper and Syzmanski believe that England always disappoints because the English players only master how to succeed in England.&nbsp; English players rarely travel across the channel to gain experience anywhere else.&nbsp; They play for English clubs, usually under English managers, against English opponents, and learn only how to beat other English teams.&nbsp; Unfortunately, when it comes time to go to the World Cup or the Euro tournament, the team that they are best suited to beat (England) is the one team they will never oppose.&nbsp;&nbsp;It is for this reason that England has not reached the final of a major tournament in over 40 years, and during that time did not qualify for either a Euro or World Cup Finals seven times.
If you project out the most likely team to line up against the US in South Africa, you see this problem in spades.&nbsp; My projection of the starters and reserves England will field next June is a team that not only plays all its club soccer in England – it does not have a single player who has ever played for a non-English club team.&nbsp; The only country in the World Cup Finals that can match England’s insularity is North Korea.
English Starters (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>David James – England</li>
<li>Ashley Cole – England</li>
<li>Rio Ferdinand – England</li>
<li>John Terry – England</li>
<li>Glen Johnson – England</li>
<li>Aaron Lennon – England</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>Frank Lampard – England</li>
<li>Steven Gerrard – England</li>
<li>Joe Cole – England</li>
<li>Wayne Rooney – England</li>
<li>Jermaine Defoe – England</li>
</ul>
English Reserves (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Paul Robinson – England</li>
<li>Wayne Bridge – England</li>
<li>Mathew Upson – England</li>
<li>Theo Walcott – England</li>
<li>Gareth Barry – England</li>
<li>Michael Carrick – England</li>
<li>Darren Bent – England</li>
</ul>
Conversely, the US team is a tribute to diversity.&nbsp; In my projected starting XI, nine different nations are represented in the players’ club history.&nbsp; Add in the reserves, and you are adding in another two countries.
US Starters (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Tim Howard – US/England</li>
<li>Jonathan Spector – England</li>
<li>Oguchi Onyewu – Belgium/Italy</li>
<li>Jay DeMerit – England</li>
<li>Carlos Bocanegra – US/England/France</li>
<li>Landon Donovan – Germany/US</li>
<li>Michael Bradley – US/Holland/Germany</li>
<li>Benny Feilhaber – Germany/England/Denmark</li>
<li>Stuart Holden – US</li>
<li>Clint Dempsey – US/England</li>
<li>Jozy Altidore – US/Spain/England</li>
</ul>
US Reserves (Club Team Country)
<ul>
<li>Brad Guzon – US/England</li>
<li>Steve Cherundelo – Germany</li>
<li>Jermaine Jones – Germany</li>
<li>Fernando Torres – Mexico</li>
<li>Maurice Edu – US/Scotland</li>
<li>Robbie Findley – US</li>
<li>Conor Casey – Germany/US</li>
</ul>
With Holden and possibly Donovan set to go to Europe in the January transfer window, this diversity of experience will continue.&nbsp; With the US learning under different systems, playing against different types of players, and refining different skill sets, they are more apt to absorb the challenges of international tournament like the World Cup.
Does this mean the US will win the game on June 12?&nbsp; There is no crystal ball for that.&nbsp; The only statistical theory that Kuper and Syzmanski could say about that game is that the team that scores the most goals will come out ahead.&nbsp; However, according to Kuper and Syzmanski, the US is coming on fast and England is a stagnant, creaking soccer power.&nbsp; Over time, if this trend continues, the US will certainly overtake England on the world stage.&nbsp; The question is whether that Rubicon is crossed on June 12 in Rustenberg or sometime a little further down the road.

US vs England – A Soccernomics Analysis

US vs England – A Soccernomics Analysis - World Soccer Talk

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/flickr.com/2147/2443498703_513146afd1.jpg" alt="" width="482" height="500"></figure></div>When I first heard of Twitter, I thought it was a dirty verb, like: “Get Twittered!” or “Go Twitter yourself!”&nbsp;(And maybe there’s still potential for that.)&nbsp;Turns out it’s a social networking website. And it&nbsp;has undeniably&nbsp;become&nbsp;the Next Big Net Thing.
In addition to allowing friends to keep&nbsp;up with&nbsp;each other’s day-to-day goings-on,&nbsp;all kinds of organizations from restaurants to sporting clubs to&nbsp;Ashton Kutcher&nbsp;are learning to use its free marketing potential&nbsp;to promote themselves. EPL Talk’s&nbsp;own The Gaffer uses it to keep folks current with our site’s updates.
But alongside the benefits, there’s plenty of&nbsp;room for error as well. Controversy arose this week when Tottenham Hotspur’s Darren Bent used Twitter to vent his frustration over stalled transfer talks. He&nbsp;reportedly posted the following items&nbsp;on his Twitter account:
“Why can’t anything be simple? It’s so frustrating hanging around doing jack s**t. Seriously getting p***ed off now.”
“Do I want to go to Hull City, no. Do I want to go to Stoke, no.”
“Do I want to go to Sunderland, yes. So stop f*****g around, Levy.”
There was speculation it wasn’t really Bent’s account&nbsp;(I was&nbsp;hoping it&nbsp;would prove to be Steve Bruce’s), but today Bent owned up to his posts when he apologized on Tottenham’s official&nbsp;site:
“I appreciate that transfers are seldom straightforward and are often complex. However, after a long period of waiting following my withdrawal from the plane to China, I had become incredibly frustrated by the time these things take and I posted inappropriate comments on my Twitter site.
“I allowed my emotions to get in the way of my better judgement. I regret my actions and did not intend to offend Daniel Levy or anyone with the nature or the content of my posting.”
Bent’s retraction aside, does this mean Twitter will play a bigger role in our football media terrain? Will we see players and managers&nbsp;using Twitter to wind each other up? Complain&nbsp;about&nbsp;refereeing decisions? Flush out transfer speculation? Will we be reading articles every week about professional football Tweets?
The possibilities are endless…
A_Zaki: I was completely onside. Linesman was drunk. Time to sulk.
RafaBeni:&nbsp;Getting nervous. Bought Xabi case of&nbsp;Rioja in case he’s on fence.
Fergie99: TiVo’ed Rafa’s latest press conference. Hoping for rant pt 2. 
BexInLA: Took Landon bowling to ease tension. Kicked his arse. Oops.
City_Hughes: Players in place. Time to shop for chemistry.
J_Barton: Anybody know a good lawyer?
In 1998, when I started going to the University of New Hampshire, AOL Instant Messenger was the big rage. We were bent over our computers all hours of the day, keeping up with old&nbsp;friends from home and&nbsp;getting to know new ones at school.&nbsp;I&nbsp;remember many the&nbsp;awkward moments and endless misunderstandings that come too easily&nbsp;with such brief,&nbsp;faceless, voiceless interaction. We learned&nbsp;some&nbsp;big lessons. Like: sarcasm is hard to convey over the internet. And: always talk about the big issues in person.&nbsp;Eventually, we succumbed to communicating using the away message function&nbsp;(the message&nbsp;one left when away from&nbsp;Instant Messanger: at the library… at the dining hall… surfing for porn…) in an attempt to avoid&nbsp;the&nbsp;real-time&nbsp;electronic faux pas. These “status updates” became the template for today’s Tweets. 
Later, this&nbsp;desire for online social networking&nbsp;gave birth to sites like Friendster, MySpace and&nbsp;Facebook. Each one seemed to catch on for a while before getting knocked off the perch by the next. But Twitter seems to reach all the way back&nbsp;to Instant Messenger and amplify&nbsp;that concept&nbsp;to a mass scale.
Bent’s comments might have once been some quiet griping to personal friends. No story there. But today it gets broadcast the world over. Anyone who’s paying attention gets wind of his complaints. And it ends up on all the media sites as the controversy du jour. 
As we demand more and more information in shorter and shorter bursts, it’s easy to get caught in the stream. The lesson those in the public arena need to learn—similar to what&nbsp;we students&nbsp;learned at University long ago—is despite the ease of transmission, you need to watch your words. Now&nbsp;more than ever. The world is potentially listening.
Oh, by the way…&nbsp;keep an eye&nbsp;my upcoming can’t-live-without-it&nbsp;social networking site: TweetMySpaceBookster.com™. It’s going to be huge. Coming soon to a laptop near you.

Darren Bent's Rant Goes A-Twitter

Darren Bent's Rant Goes A-Twitter - World Soccer Talk

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Is Steve Bruce The New Premier League 'Wheeler-Dealer'?

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US vs England – A Soccernomics Analysis

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Darren Bent's Rant Goes A-Twitter