The hypocrisy of Steve Bruce

[montague]

http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/6390/38/[url]]http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/6390/38/http://

I think its called Karma.



Steve Bruce is not the man to criticise Darren Bent 
19 January ~ Maybe Darren Bent did move for the money. Maybe being Sunderland's highest earner wasn't enough any more. Lest we forget, bigger and better strikers than Bent have kicked up a fuss and handed in transfer requests this season in order to bleed more money from their employers.

Although he won't publicly say so (or tweet in his case), Bent is entitled to defend himself against those who have claimed he is a mercenary who only joined Aston Villa for a bumper wage increase. And let's face it, even if he did join Villa for an extra zero on the end of his bank balance, he isn't the first and he certainly won't be the last.

Steve Bruce said he felts "let down" by Bent, but he knows a thing or two about going where the grass in greener. His first job as a manager was with Sheffield United, where he stayed for a grand total of one season before quitting due to a "lack of transfer funds". He lasted a similar amount of time at Huddersfield who accused him of "having an ego to feed".

Bruce's first stint at Wigan looked promising but he duly quit after just two months in charge to join Crystal Palace, where he stayed for a matter of months before walking out again to join Birmingham City.

At Birmingham, Bruce finally showed some loyalty – mainly due to the club's success – and got them promoted to the Premier League before staving off relegation the following campaign. But it wasn't long before his feet were twitching again and when Newcastle (his hometown club) came calling, it looked like Bruce would be off again. Birmingham owner David Sullivan eventually "priced him out of a move" but Bruce's desire was clear.

Bruce eventually left the Blues due to Carson Yeung taking over the club, and he joined Wigan for a second time. Naturally once Sunderland offered him the chance to ply his trade further up the league, Bruce upped and left. The fact that Bruce is a Geordie obviously didn't influence his decision when Sunderland presented him with a bigger and better contract.

Now obviously Bent has joined an out-of-form team in Villa, but he hasn't walked out on a club in the manner that Bruce has so many times before.
 

[MoetVillan]

I think he is a good manager, done a pretty good job at Wigan (x2) and Sunderland especially, and even made Brum look like an above completely shit unit.  I also think he is licking his wounds.  He is pretty upset he has just lost his number one asset, and he is speaking from the heart.  Mwah hah hah!

[Villa'Zawg]

Official Villa statement putting the record straight...


We understand Sunderland Football Club's need to explain to their naturally disappointed supporters why Darren Bent has been allowed to leave their club.

It is disappointing, however, that Sunderland should try to besmirch the reputation of the player and Aston Villa Football Club in the process.

We wish to make clear that at no time did Aston Villa make an inappropriate approach to the player or unfairly compromise the business of Sunderland Football Club.

Darren only became aware of his possible transfer AFTER Sunderland's game against Newcastle on Sunday and AFTER we had agreed with Sunderland the essence of the deal which led quickly to Darren's arrival at Villa Park on Tuesday.

It is only because of some comments emanating from the Stadium of Light that we have felt compelled to respond and set the record straight.

[Small Rodent]

....and if you don't believe us, see you in court.

[pauliewalnuts]

Club statement

We understand Sunderland Football Club's need to explain to their naturally disappointed supporters why Darren Bent has been allowed to leave their club.

It is disappointing, however, that Sunderland should try to besmirch the reputation of the player and Aston Villa Football Club in the process.

We wish to make clear that at no time did Aston Villa make an inappropriate approach to the player or unfairly compromise the business of Sunderland Football Club.

Darren only became aware of his possible transfer AFTER Sunderland's game against Newcastle on Sunday and AFTER we had agreed with Sunderland the essence of the deal which led quickly to Darren's arrival at Villa Park on Tuesday.

It is only because of some comments emanating from the Stadium of Light that we have felt compelled to respond and set the record straight.

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2270821,00.html

[Brian Taylor]

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2011/01/19/safc-eye-john-carew-to-fill-void-left-by-bent-72703-28014155/

Now they want Carew. Interesting.
Sorry if already posted.

[London Villan]

Carew, £5m please, seeing as they've got cash to burn now!

[midnite]

Na, £8m. Just out of spite.

surly that just BS though. Otherwise it would of been in part of the negotiations? Wouldn't it of made sense to say cash plus carew? Or is that just common sense?

[PeterWithe]

Where have Sunderland suggested we have tapped him up?

[Dante Lavelli]

Carew to Sunderland would be a good deal for everyone.

Not overly impressed with villa's statement, I'd have preferred us to have thanked them for conducting the transfer in the correct manner rather than having a pop at them. Especially as I hadn't even read their allegations anyway.

Hey ho. Nothing to see here...

[eastie]

Surely by now brucie should be used to villa rubbing his nose in it- I bet he's hurting even more because it is villa.

[pauliewalnuts]

Where have Sunderland suggested we have tapped him up?

Bruce's comments yesterday about "I wondered why he'd been so muted the last few weeks, now we know why" - went on to imply that this was about us tapping him up.

[Mazrim]

Howay man, Sunderland can't afford Carew and why would he go there... etc.

[pauliewalnuts]

Sorry, hadn't seen it already mentioned, have merged topics.

[The Man With A Stick]

They can have Carew for nowt if Bernard Cribbins / Fistface goes on TV and admits that he has a face like an unmade bed.