Bruce’s bone of contention

Feb 7 2010 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

STEVE BRUCE wants his Sunderland side to show a little backbone between now and the end of the season.

The Black Cats may be struggling for form at present, but they boast an unbeaten record when Bruce has been able to start the quartet of summer signings – centre-back Michael Turner, midfielders Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana and top-scorer Darren Bent – he regards as the spine of his team.

Unfortunately for Bruce, however, injuries and suspensions have meant there have been just SIX games where all four of his key men have been in the starting XI.

But those six games have yielded 12 points – almost HALF the Black Cats’ total points tally.

With the spine intact, Sunderland have beaten Hull, Wolves and Liverpool on Wearside, and picked up draws at Manchester United and at home to Stoke and yesterday against Wigan.

Bruce made reinforcing the spine of his team his priority when he took over in the summer and results have proved just how big an impact those signings have had.