Category Archives: Sunderland

Liverpool Left ‘Special’ Player On Bench – Sunderland Boss

Sunderland manager Gustavo Poyet has claimed that Liverpool left their “special” player Steven Gerrard on the bench in their clash on Saturday.

Gerrard’s continued place in the Liverpool first team has been under debate in recent months.

Despite contributing heavily to the Anfield club’s title charge in the later stages of last season, he was also somewhat responsible for the ultimate failure of that quest.

Gerrard infamously slipped against Chelsea, giving them the opportunity to grab a lead that Liverpool could never take away from them, and Brendan Rodgers’ side ultimately lost that game 2-0.

Had Liverpool managed a draw in that game and then not collapsed against Crystal Palace while chasing a huge goal difference busting win, they would have won the title.

However, Poyet himself says that Sunderland did significant preparation on how to deal with Gerrard, and were surprised to see such a special player left on the bench for the game.

“We watched on video, Gerrard playing in front of the back four and Gerrard playing off the front,” Poyet said.

“Then he wasn’t playing. So I suppose a few players in there said ‘yeah, well done gaffer’ — all that video for no reason. But it’s good — you play against a top team, one of those players is special, you show your team, and he doesn’t play.”

 

Revealed: £8m Man Utd And Chelsea Target Available In January – reports

Galatasaray wonderkid Bruma has been made available in January, with his agent revealing that offers have been made for the £8 million rated star, as reported by the Daily Express.

This means that both Chelsea and Manchester United have been put on red alert heading into the January transfer window.

The 20 year old is considered to be one of the most exciting talents in European football but has lost his place in the side since former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was replaced by his Italian compatriot Cesare Prandelli.

Man Utd and Chelsea are not the only Premier League sides thought to be tracking him, with Everton and Sunderland also monitoring the wonderkid.

Reports in Turkey are now suggesting that Bruma is available to sign in January, with Galatasaray looking to recoup the money that they spent on him a year ago.

This, in part, might be as a result of supposed financial trouble going on at the Turkish side.

His agent has revealed offers are taking place.

He said:  “We have received an offer from Genoa and a couple more sides in Europe. Galatasaray have not accepted any of these bids.

“If a club wants to sign Bruma they will have to pay the money up front, not in instalments.”

PL Rivals To Offer £15M Star Route Out Of Man Utd Nightmare – reports

Manchester United’s Ashley Young has a series of Premier League sides fighting for his signature, with all of Aston Villa, Southampton and Sunderland keen on giving Young a route out of his Old Trafford nightmare, as reported by the Daily Express.

The wing wizard has been declared surplus to requirements under Louis van Gaal, who has no place for the former Villa man in his preferred formations.

Since the first three games of the new season, Young has not featured for Man Utd.

Even then, Young was used out of position at wing back, a defensive role that does not suit his game style.

With the 29 year old’s contract set to expire in 2016, the England international could secure a move in the near future for a cut price fee, with Man Utd likely not keen on losing him for free.

This benefits the clubs chasing him, who would almost certainly not be willing to pay the significant £15 million fee that Man Utd paid for him in 2011.