Souness: Bramble Could Save Us A Right Few Quid!

By Matthew Jones
November 27 2004

Graeme Souness explains how, with Titus Bramble coming back into form, "we could save a right few quid!". Bramble was one of the names rumoured to be on the way out of SJP following Souness's arrival earlier this season, but he impressed on Thursday night and could well have secured his future.

Souness said:

"Titus did not put one foot wrong against the French. He was outstanding.

"If you could get him to be focused like that in every game, he'll play for England. He's a big, powerful boy and the Sochaux players were just bouncing off him.

"His passing and anticipation were also good. But it's no good just doing that once every four or five games.

"The players who represent their country are the top men who play well in EVERY game. They never have poor games.

"Titus did not make any mistakes in France - he was just immense. I think if he can do it once, why can't he do it all the time? And if that's the standard of his play, then the chairman will be delighted because we could save a right few quid!

"We wanted to get his body fat down and get him fitter, so he was doing a swimming session before breakfast. Then he was training with the rest.

"Next, it was another session in the afternoon.

"That's got him up to speed and I have to say he has played really well for me.

"His focus has to come from within. The boy has to work that out but he's still a baby. But, please, please, God, maybe the penny's dropping now.

"I want him to be a serious human being. The time to stop being a boy is now. Now he's a man.

"But I'm not the man who bought him. I want to be fair to everyone. I want to love him but my loyalty is to the club.

"I don't have the burden of spending all that money on him so, for me, to leave him out is no big deal. It's up to him to play like that every week. If he does, he will be one of the first on the teamsheet."