Bruce praises two-goal Reid
Tuesday, 25 August 2009 12:30Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was full of praise for slimmed-down midfielder Andy Reid after the midfielder's role in a 4-1 Carling Cup victory at Norwich City.
Reid scored twice as the Black Cats moved into the third round at Carrow Road.
Teemu Tainio set the ball rolling for the Barclays Premier League club before Reid netted a well-taken double.
Fellow Dubliner Wes Hoolahan reduced the deficit just after the hour, only for Owain Tudur Jones to quickly deflect a corner into his own net.
Reid, who underwent a rigorous fitness regime in the summer to cut down his notoriously excessive weight, was the star of the show and Bruce was quick to praise the Irishman.
'He's seeing the fruits of that tonight,' Bruce told Sky Sports 1. 'He is the one who has done it, not anyone else.
'He's lost something like eight or nine kilos which is testament to him, and he's given himself an opportunity.'
As well the 9kg, Reid is also believed to have lost 22mm of body fat.
Norwich finished with nine men when last man Michael Spillane was sent off for a professional foul on Frazier Campbell, and keeper Ben Alnwick suffered a cut to his face when colliding with the striker.
But Bruce revealed Campbell suffered no serious damage from the coming together with Alnwick.
'He's okay, he's got a bad wrist, a bad elbow, a bad shoulder and a sore head but thankfully he's okay,' he said.
'There were some really, really good performances. Reidy has scored two wonder goals, the goalkeeper (Craig Gordon) has produced two or three really good saves.
'It bears well and has given me a headache. All of them responded magnificently in the last few weeks and with those performances, they have asked me a few questions.'
