Steve Bruce

By The Black Cats
September 3 2009

Now that the transfer window has closed we can reflect on the comings and goings to and from the Sunderland Stadium of Light as new boss Steve Bruce begins to create his own Sunderland rather than an inherited one and the transfer window has seen a few shocks.

Ins

1. Lorik Cana
2. Lee Cattermole
3. Darren Bent
   
4. Michael Turner
5. Fraizer Campbell
6. Paulo Da Silva
7. John Mensah

1. Danny Collins
   
2. Paul McShane
3. Teemu Tainio (loan)
4. Carlos Edwards
5. Grant Leadbitter
6. Anthony Stokes
7. Dean Whitehead
8. Jean-Yves Mvoto (loan)
9. Martyne Waghorn (loan)
10. David Dowson (loan)
11. Jamie Chandler (loan)
12. Jack Colback (loan)
13. Nick Colgan
14. Greg Halford
15. Oeter Hartley
16. Michael Chopra
17. Arnau Riera
18. David Connolly
19. Dwight Yorke
20. Darren Ward

The two biggest shocks for me has to be the arrival of Lorik Cana, a very highly thought of player throughout Europe who is already becoming a legend in the red and white of Sunderland.

The other big shock is the departure of Danny Collins, a regular in the back four, captain and player of the season for the last 2 years running. Collins' departure has left us with no cover at left back and I just can't think what Bruce was trying to achieve by shifting on Collins.

Lee Cattermole has already proved to be a valuable asset to the side as has Darren Bent, both in fine form this season.

Bruce has done a good job of shifting some of the 'deadwood' such as Anthony Stokes, Arnau Riera and David Connolly, while strengthening the spine of the side.

However, should we encounter any injuries or suspensions in centre midfield or defence we could be in trouble as we don't have much (proven/experienced) cover, a fact exacerbated by the loaning out of Teemu Tainio to premiership rivals Birmingham.