The Sunderland manager is not alone among the top-flight strugglers in feeling relative security
Steve Bruce might have been forgiven the haunted look of the condemned man yet, as he considered Ellis Short’s presence at the Stadium of Light this evening, all he could offer was defiance. The Dallas‑based businessman is a rare visitor to Wearside but, with his investment treading water above the relegation zone, the time has come to witness their lack of progress first-hand. “There’s no trepidation that he is coming,” offered Bruce. “I’m glad he is. When you’re struggling, you need the support of the chairman and the owner. I have got that.”
Those managers currently in the scrap for survival must hope they are blessed with similar backing. Untimely weekend defeats for West Ham United and Hull City have left both Gianfranco Zola and Phil Brown embroiled in the congestion near the foot, with grumbling discontent welling at each club and the financial implications of demotion into the Championship horribly real. Sunderland, without a league victory since last November, have seen their most promising start to a campaign in a generation unravel wretchedly. In the desperate circumstances, a visit from a largely absentee owner might have sinister implications.
Logic suggests there is little point in changing managers at this time of year. The transfer deadline has passed, denying a new man the chance to refresh his squad for the run-in. Back when the cut-off for signings came in March, this period was littered with managerial casualties. These days, with six points covering the clubs from 13th to 19th in the Premier League and with hefty pay-offs to recompense the departed, upheaval may be too much of a risk. Outside the upper echelons, Hereford sacked John Trewick yesterday though theirs is a club meandering 11 points clear of trouble and with Graham Turner, their manager of 14 years up to April, already in situ. Back in the elite, Alan Shearer’s brief and ultimately unsuccessful tenure at Newcastle United that yielded five points from eight games serves as a warning; radical change, even instigated by a homecoming hero, does not always have the desired effect.
Bizarre selection policies or tactical decisions could still prompt the axe, of course, though there is a sense that each manager is largely extracting the most he can from his respective options. West Ham’s strongest available side was deflated by Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park, where pressure on Zola will persist given that he was not the new owners’ appointment. Hull included only five of the side who had beaten Manchester City last month when wilting at Everton, but Brown could point to injuries as a contributing factor in a 5-1 drubbing. His admission that “the gameplan was left in the dressing room at half-time, for whatever reason” was more damning but the last time the Hull manager departed Merseyside he had been granted the dreaded vote of confidence by his new executive chairman. This time, with only two games against sides currently in the top eight to come, there appears little prospect of a change at the top.
For Sunderland, the reality is more troubling. Bolton arrive on Wearside tonight having leapfrogged their hosts in pursuit of mid-table and, while Wanderers are upwardly mobile, the locals are slipping steadily towards the foot. The only victory gained out of the last 16 in all competitions was against Barrow, currently 21st in the Conference. Their descent is as baffling as it is alarming. “We had our best start in 35 years, and now we haven’t won a game for three months,” said Bruce. “We are all upset at what has happened. I have never been on a run when I’ve not got a result over the winter. It is staggering. I wouldn’t have thought it possible back in the autumn after the start we’d had.
“But you look to the chairman [Niall Quinn], the influence he has had, and the owner who has been very, very supportive in a very short period of time. We are very fortunate to have him. He lets you go on as a manager and do your job. I will never be complacent. I knew it was a difficult challenge when I took it on. They finished fifth bottom twice but we will eventually get there, I’m sure of that. It will take time but, eventually, I will reward [the owner] and give him the team he wants.”
He must weather this storm before he can begin to think long-term. Short converted £48m of loans into shares recently and has provided the funds to secure the likes of Michael Turner, Lorik Cana, Lee Cattermole, Darren Bent and, during the January transfer window, Matt Kilgallon and the loanees Alan Hutton and Benjani. He would expect more for his considerable investment than prolonged toil through to May. “I do have personal contact with Ellis Short,” added Bruce. “He’s at the Bolton game and I will see him on Wednesday, whatever the result.” Bolton’s visit is the second of four consecutive home league games that could ultimately prove key. This may no longer be sacking season but, even so, the Sunderland manager will privately be praying for a performance this evening to strengthen his position.
Premier LeagueSunderlandWest Ham UnitedHull CityDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk
