SAFC Banter - Join the debate with Sunderland fans, staff writers and club legendstag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2008-02-08://2492009-11-19T16:41:56ZMovable Type Enterprise 4.21-enSteve Bruce: My big debt to Arsenetag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1861882009-11-19T16:35:45Z2009-11-19T16:41:56ZSTEVE BRUCE has revealed the massive debt he owes to Arsenal's 'genius' boss Arsene Wenger. Sunderland chief Bruce will lock horns with Wenger on Saturday, when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light, and he is keen to get Sunderland moving...James Hunter
<p>STEVE BRUCE has revealed the massive debt he owes to Arsenal's 'genius' boss Arsene Wenger.</p>
<p>Sunderland chief Bruce will lock horns with Wenger on Saturday, when Arsenal visit the Stadium of Light, and he is keen to get Sunderland moving back in the right direction after picking up just one point from their last three games.</p>
<p>But while Bruce will be doing everything he can to outwit Wenger this weekend, he says the Gunners boss has been a huge help to him in his managerial career - in particular, helping him win promotion to the top flight with Birmingham back in 2007, when they finished runners-up to Sunderland in the Championship.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/19/steve-bruce-my-big-debt-to-arsene-72703-25205795/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/5hPnaFpdYaI" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/steve-bruce-my-big-debt-to-ars.htmlJordan Henderson is warned: It can still go wrongtag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1861862009-11-19T16:34:36Z2009-11-19T16:35:53ZJORDAN Henderson has been warned he could still end up on the football scrapheap if he falls into bad habits despite an excellent start to the season with Sunderland. Henderson's emergence has been one of the major plus points under...Luke Edwards
<p>JORDAN Henderson has been warned he could still end up on the football scrapheap if he falls into bad habits despite an excellent start to the season with Sunderland.</p>
<p>Henderson's emergence has been one of the major plus points under Steve Bruce and he has regularly been on the receiving end of a string of superlatives from his manager and Sunderland team-mates alike.</p>
<p>But the young midfielder still has plenty to prove and he has been given a timely reminder from Phil Bardsley that he can just as quickly lose everything he has done so well to gain with the Black Cats.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/19/jordan-henderson-is-warned-it-can-still-go-wrong-61634-25202969/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/Lp-x-GBIn-k" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/jordan-henderson-is-warned-it.htmlCats defender Michael Turner is still in England frametag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1857002009-11-18T13:08:26Z2009-11-18T13:09:39ZMICHAEL TURNER is still in the England frame - with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce revealing the defender was put on standby by Fabio Capello for last weekend's friendly against Brazil in Qatar. Turner has caught Capello's eye in the past...James Hunter
<p>MICHAEL TURNER is still in the England frame - with Sunderland boss Steve Bruce revealing the defender was put on standby by Fabio Capello for last weekend's friendly against Brazil in Qatar.</p>
<p>Turner has caught Capello's eye in the past and was on standby on a couple of occasions last season while still a Hull City player.</p>
<p>And Capello saw the commanding centre-back turn in an impressive performance when he watched Sunderland's 2-0 defeat at Spurs the weekend before last.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/18/cats-defender-michael-turner-is-still-in-england-frame-72703-25196637/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/dlaVDu2Mg38" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/cats-defender-michael-turner-i.htmlCats goal in good hands says Marton Fuloptag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1856922009-11-18T12:53:25Z2009-11-18T12:55:22ZMARTON Fulop will use his extended run in the Sunderland side to prove Steve Bruce doesn't need to strengthen his goalkeeping department. Signing a new keeper in the January transfer window was not a high priority for the Black Cats...Mark Douglas
<p>MARTON Fulop will use his extended run in the Sunderland side to prove Steve Bruce doesn't need to strengthen his goalkeeping department.</p>
<p>Signing a new keeper in the January transfer window was not a high priority for the Black Cats boss, but Craig Gordon's badly broken arm has forced him into a rethink.</p>
<p>Sunderland have previously been linked with England goalkeeper David James but Fulop - who will return to the side for the visit of Arsenal on Saturday - insists that Bruce does not need to spend the market to cover for Gordon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/18/cats-goal-in-good-hands-says-marton-fulop-61634-25193090/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/xV-1uV3qf4g" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/cats-goal-in-good-hands-says-m.htmlEngland door still open for Darren Benttag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1813962009-11-17T12:59:35Z2009-11-17T13:00:51ZDarren Bent's World Cup chances are far from over - despite the clamour to write off Sunderland's top scorer. Mark Douglas reports. IF there is one thing that the past four months has taught us about Darren Bent, it is...Mark Douglas
<p><strong>Darren Bent's World Cup chances are far from over - despite the clamour to write off Sunderland's top scorer. Mark Douglas reports.</strong></p>
<p>IF there is one thing that the past four months has taught us about Darren Bent, it is that he functions best when feeding off the belief that others have in him.</p>
<p>Powered by the faith of Steve Bruce, the Sunderland striker has barged his way to the top of the Premier League scoring charts and made questions over his eight-figure fee a trifling irrelevance.</p>
<p>After this weekend's trickiest of engagements in Qatar, the affable Bent now has to conquer that same uncertainty about his international aspirations.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/17/england-door-still-open-for-darren-bent-61634-25182848/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/MIu7RHP8CKk" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/england-door-still-open-for-da.htmlCats star Craig Gordon out for three monthstag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1813942009-11-17T12:54:49Z2009-11-17T12:55:35ZMARTON Fulop will be given another chance to stake his claim to be regarded as Sunderland's first choice goalkeeper following the news Craig Gordon will be sidelined for the next three months. Gordon could be ruled out until the middle...Luke Edwards
<p>MARTON Fulop will be given another chance to stake his claim to be regarded as Sunderland's first choice goalkeeper following the news Craig Gordon will be sidelined for the next three months.</p>
<p>Gordon could be ruled out until the middle of February with the broken arm he suffered in a controversial collision with England international Jermain Defoe against Tottenham Hotspur.</p>
<p>Gordon is still angry about the clash with the Spurs striker and has accused Defoe of not doing enough to avoid impact with him as he dived at his feet in the second-half of the 2-0 away defeat.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/17/cats-star-craig-gordon-out-for-three-months-61634-25182703/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/WOJ-Q4jHEeY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/cats-star-craig-gordon-out-for.htmlLorik Cana's return will add some steel for Black Catstag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1809002009-11-16T13:39:42Z2009-11-16T13:40:26ZSKIPPER Lorik Cana is all set to rejoin Sunderland's Premier League campaign this weekend. The midfielder sat out the Black Cats' defeat at Spurs 10 days ago through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards. But boss Steve Bruce will bring...James Hunter
<p>SKIPPER Lorik Cana is all set to rejoin Sunderland's Premier League campaign this weekend.</p>
<p>The midfielder sat out the Black Cats' defeat at Spurs 10 days ago through suspension after accumulating five yellow cards.</p>
<p>But boss Steve Bruce will bring him straight back into the side to face Arsenal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.</p>
<p>Albania international Cana - who played for his country in a goalless international friendly against Estonia in Tallinn over the weekend - has been one of Sunderland's key men since moving to Wearside in a £5m deal this summer.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/16/lorik-cana-s-return-will-add-some-steel-for-black-cats-72703-25178058/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/S0TzIoLNO-Q" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/lorik-canas-return-will-add-so.htmlDarren Bent back to realitytag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1808862009-11-16T13:29:01Z2009-11-16T13:30:02ZDARREN Bent hasn't given up on his dream of making the World Cup finals - despite not having much chance to shine on his first international start in more than three-and-a-half years. The Sunderland striker insists his form over the...Mark Douglas
<p>DARREN Bent hasn't given up on his dream of making the World Cup finals - despite not having much chance to shine on his first international start in more than three-and-a-half years.</p>
<p>The Sunderland striker insists his form over the next few months for the Black Cats will determine if he can stake a genuine claim to be part of the England squad heading for South Africa next summer, following the disappointment of Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Brazil in Doha. The former Tottenham player and Wayne Rooney did not have much chance to make an impact as the five-times world champions dominated possession for long periods.</p>
<p>But Bent is determined to take the positives from the game and maintain his sparkling form for Steve Bruce's side in the hope it will persuade Fabio Capello to take him to South Africa.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/16/darren-bent-back-to-reality-61634-25175747/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/4RtVQEsends" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/darren-bent-back-to-reality.htmlPhil Bardsley: Bent deserves England chancetag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1804122009-11-13T13:04:04Z2009-11-13T13:04:39ZDARREN BENT deserves his England chance. Phil Bardsley suspected as much in March. The Sunderland striker was called up for tomorrow's international friendly against Brazil in Qatar last weekend, despite missing a penalty in his side's 2-0 defeat at Spurs....Steve Brown
<p>DARREN BENT deserves his England chance. Phil Bardsley suspected as much in March.</p>
<p>The Sunderland striker was called up for tomorrow's international friendly against Brazil in Qatar last weekend, despite missing a penalty in his side's 2-0 defeat at Spurs.</p>
<p>Such setbacks do not bother Bent, Bardsley believes, insisting his team-mate boasts a confidence in front of goal to match his record. He has eight goals in 12 appearances this season and, Bardsley says, now has his just reward.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/13/phil-bardsley-bent-deserves-england-chance-72703-25159993/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/uEYY0XnWAx8" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/phil-bardsley-bent-deserves-en.html Jermain Defoe to blame for injury - Gordontag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1802662009-11-13T09:35:45Z2009-11-13T09:36:12ZCRAIG Gordon has blasted Spurs striker Jermain Defoe for the "poor challenge" that broke his arm and left him on the sidelines until the New Year. Defoe collided with Gordon during Sunderland's defeat at White Hart Lane on Saturday and...Luke Edwards
<p>CRAIG Gordon has blasted Spurs striker Jermain Defoe for the "poor challenge" that broke his arm and left him on the sidelines until the New Year.</p>
<p>Defoe collided with Gordon during Sunderland's defeat at White Hart Lane on Saturday and left the Scotland goalkeeper with a fractured left arm that has interrupted his best spell of form since joining the Black Cats.</p>
<p>The consensus among media pundits seemed to be that Defoe was not to blame but Gordon feels that the England striker was in the wrong.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/13/jermain-defoe-to-blame-for-injury-gordon-61634-25157359/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/pKB-N_fabLA" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/jermain-defoe-to-blame-for-inj.html Anton Ferdinand's vowing to bounce backtag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1801462009-11-12T13:18:03Z2009-11-12T13:18:30ZANTON FERDINAND admits inconsistency has kept him out of the Sunderland team - but insists he relishes such periods out of favour and the opportunity they provide to display the mental toughness that WILL restore him to the starting line-up....Steve Brown
<p>ANTON FERDINAND admits inconsistency has kept him out of the Sunderland team - but insists he relishes such periods out of favour and the opportunity they provide to display the mental toughness that WILL restore him to the starting line-up.</p>
<p>The 24-year-old was a late substitute at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday but has not started for the Black Cats since the 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City.</p>
<p>Yet, inspired by the similar experiences of brother Rio, Ferdinand Jnr is determined to fulfil his sibling's wish to see him achieve even more than him.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/12/anton-ferdinand-s-vowing-to-bounce-back-72703-25151045/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/GkszW9CiCQY" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/anton-ferdinands-vowing-to-bou.html Kenwyne Jones blames himself for enforced resttag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1799182009-11-12T09:05:30Z2009-11-12T13:22:51ZKENWYNE Jones intends to learn from his mistakes as he admits he only had himself to blame for the frustration of a three-game suspension following his sending off against West Ham. Jones' red card against the Hammers almost a fortnight...Luke Edwards
<p>KENWYNE Jones intends to learn from his mistakes as he admits he only had himself to blame for the frustration of a three-game suspension following his sending off against West Ham.</p>
<p>Jones' red card against the Hammers almost a fortnight ago was only the second time he has been sent off in his career, and the powerful Sunderland striker denied he has any problem controlling his temper after he was dismissed for shoving Herita Ilunga.</p>
<p>Jones is still irritated by the West Ham defender's reaction to his push but is more determined to move on from the incident as he prepares to sit out another two games in the stands. Although harshly treated by the match officials, he acknowledged he should not have raised his hands.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/12/kenwyne-jones-blames-himself-for-enforced-rest-61634-25148569/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/KtZDFRWnpTM" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/kenwyne-jones-blames-himself-f.html Cats boss gets to grips with Maynor issuetag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1797642009-11-11T13:20:57Z2009-11-11T13:21:33ZSUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is closing in on a January deal for Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa. The Black Cats boss is set to use the international break to try to agree a deal in advance for a player he bought...Steve Brown
<p>SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce is closing in on a January deal for Wigan full-back Maynor Figueroa.</p>
<p>The Black Cats boss is set to use the international break to try to agree a deal in advance for a player he bought for the Latics, and then hopefully hold talks with Figueroa and his Monaco-based agent.</p>
<p>Currently nursing a knee injury which will keep him sidelined for around three weeks, Figueroa is understood to be keen to link up with his old boss at the Stadium of Light.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/safc-news/2009/11/11/cats-boss-gets-to-grips-with-maynor-issue-72703-25142275/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/ZMBmTJCVdo4" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/cats-boss-gets-to-grips-with-m.html Fraizer Campbell unsettled by defeat at Spurstag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1795782009-11-11T09:14:57Z2009-11-11T09:15:41ZFRAIZER Campbell would normally enjoy the opportunity to recharge his batteries during an international break - but the Sunderland striker fears it will be ruined by the frustration of last weekend's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Campbell played on the right...Luke Edwards
<p>FRAIZER Campbell would normally enjoy the opportunity to recharge his batteries during an international break - but the Sunderland striker fears it will be ruined by the frustration of last weekend's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.</p>
<p>Campbell played on the right of a five-man midfield at White Hart Lane in the absence of the suspended Kenwyne Jones and played his part in an impressive Black Cats display.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, although he was happy with his return to the starting line-up, Campbell is still finding it difficult to accept Sunderland returned to Wearside empty-handed.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.journallive.co.uk/safc/safc-news/2009/11/11/fraizer-campbell-unsettled-by-defeat-at-spurs-61634-25139303/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a></p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/4qHl6MD7U1w" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/fraizer-campbell-unsettled-by.htmlCraig Gordon hopes to bounce back from injurytag:www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk,2009://249.1793422009-11-10T13:13:20Z2009-11-10T13:19:35ZCRAIG GORDON has been told he will bounce back "even stronger" from his latest injury. The Sunderland keeper fractured his forearm during Saturday's defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and looks set to be sidelined until after Christmas. The setback comes as...Steve Brown
<p>CRAIG GORDON has been told he will bounce back "even stronger" from his latest injury.</p>
<p>The Sunderland keeper fractured his forearm during Saturday's defeat at Tottenham Hotspur and looks set to be sidelined until after Christmas.</p>
<p>The setback comes as a particularly bitter blow to Gordon, only recently recovered from a hip complaint and, before that, knee surgery.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/sunderland-afc/match-reports-and-results/2009/11/10/criag-gordon-hopes-to-bounce-back-from-injury-72703-25132942/"><strong>Continue reading »</strong></a><br />
</p>
<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/SafcBanter-JoinTheDebate/~4/ggoS0CZhgqg" height="1" width="1"/>http://www.sunderlandbanter.co.uk/2009/11/criag-gordon-hopes-to-bounce-b.html