Winter Blues Continue

Sunderland really do not like the Winter period as we lost our second game in a row against Blackpool.

Sunderland created a staggering 32 shots at goal with an incredible 26 on target but failed to beat an inspired Kingston.

Bruce could now head into the next fortnight with no Gyan, Welbeck and Onuoha who all came off with hamstring injuries.


Steve Bruce told the Sunderland Echo: ‘I think we as managers have to speak out together about it,’ he said.

‘I’ve got three players out now by the looks of it – all three with hamstring strains.

‘That’s the consequences of playing Man United on Sunday and then Blackpool two days later.

‘Players are playing when they’re tired, and when they’re tired they pull hamstrings and damage muscles.

‘And I can’t understand why we’re being asked to do it – to play so many games in such a short space of time when it doesn’t seem necessary.

‘I’m actually in favour of us having a winter break, like just about every other country in Europe.

‘It’s nonsense certainly that we’re playing so many games in such a short space of time – we’ve lost three players to strains and that could affect us for the next two or three weeks, which is incredibly frustrating with the games we’ve got coming up.

‘Players can do it – they can play these games in a short space of time, but they’re at risk of injury by doing it.’

‘I’m not hopeful as far as the injuries are concerned,’ said Bruce. ‘I expect all three to be out for Saturday.

‘But at least it looks as though we have one back in Titus.

‘It was a gamble bringing him on, but he came through OK and with the injuries we’ve got, him coming back is a big plus.’