Bruce: Bendtner was our best player by a million miles!

Bruce paired loan signing Nicklas Bendtner with Benin international Stephane Sessegnon in attack once again against West Brom on Saturday and saw the Denmark international score his first goal for the club and then set up the Ahmed Elmohamady equaliser which secured a 2-2 draw.

However, he also invested a total of more than £10million in Wickham, who missed out at the weekend with a groin strain, and Ji, a second-half substitute, and is confident they too will have significant roles to play this season.

"Sessegnon and Bendtner for a start - they have only been with each other for two or three weeks and they looked very, very good on Saturday. But certainly, Connor and Ji are in my thoughts. Their time might be just around the corner too, so let's hope when they get their chance, they can give everybody a lift too."

It will be hard to dislodge Bendtner at present, though, with Bruce admitting he was hugely impressed with the performance of the on-loan Arsenal man against West Brom.

"Nick was our best player by a million miles. He has settled in very, very quickly and very, very well and been a big plus point". He was terrific against Norwich and if we had got better service to him quicker, I'm sure we would have been better as a team".

Bendtner currently leads the official Star Man vote on the official Sunderland website with more than 40 % of the votes, closely followed by Elmohamady who scored the second Sunderland goal.

Bruce eager to sign Bendtner

Steve Bruce admits he would love to keep Nicklas Bendtner after watching the on-loan Arsenal man inspire Sunderland’s fightback against West Brom.

Bendtner scored one goal and set up the equaliser for Ahmed Elmohamady, as Sunderland recovered from a nightmare start which saw them 2-0 down inside five minutes, to earn a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce was full of praise for the 23-year-old, and pointed to the fact that Bendtner chose a move to Wearside over other offers as proof of the progress Sunderland have made since he took over two years ago.

“We’re very fortunate that he has come here and that, for me, is where the club has grown,” said Bruce, who also took Bendtner on loan while in charge at Birmingham five years ago. Given the clubs that were in for him, I don’t think we would have been able to bring him here two or three years ago. We can now offer him something that, in the past, I don’t think we could. The challenge for me is keeping him!"

“I’d love to sign Nick Bendtner tomorrow, and you can see why.”

Bendtner to fans: Fuck you!

When Nicklas Bendtner scored his first goal against Norway last month he shouted "Fuck you" to the Danish fans in the stadium.

It was not personal. Or maybe it was. Just not directed at the fans, who actually heard Nicklas Bendtner's outburst.

Just after scoring, the striker ran towards the national team's audience and emptied his lungs in a mixture of frustration and redemption. Now he explains what he was screaming - and why:

"Well, I shouted, Fuck you! I shouted it as loud as I could and it came straight from the heart to all the doubters", says Bendtner in an interview with Danish media.

Nicklas Bendtner clearly feels pursued - and the goal was an opportunity to give something back to those who have critized him and his football abilities - on both sides of the chalk lines.

"I can tolerate criticism of my football games, also my performance for the national team, but I hate it when some distort the truth and create their own lying picture of me - or the entire national team for that matter. It gives people the wrong image of me, and it's annoying", Bendtner said.

Hopefully for Denmark, the striker will get another opportunity to scream "Fuck you" to the Danish crowd in the two matches against Cyprus and Portugal in the following week.

Bendtner delighted with first goal

Nicklas Bendtner was happy to take his first goal for Sunderland however it came after helping to ease the pressure on manager Steve Bruce.

The on-loan Arsenal striker's 24th-minute effort sparked a comeback which eventually saw the Black Cats claim a 2-2 draw with West Brom after enduring a nightmare start to a game they could not afford to lose at the end of a traumatic week.

For Bendtner, the fact that his shot was deflected past Baggies keeper Ben Foster by defender Gareth McAuley's out-stretched leg after Sebastian Larsson had back-heeled the ball into his path did not matter one bit after a four-game wait to open his account in a red and white shirt.

"I was very delighted. I knew Seb was going to drag it back because he had seen me, but as I saw the tackle coming in, I thought 'Oh no', because it was difficult and I had to shoot first touch", Bendtner said.

"But then it deflected in and I was very pleased because it's always special to get off the mark no matter how it goes in. I was a bit unlucky against Norwich, but then again, it was always going to come at some point".

"If you keep putting yourself in the box and keep getting in amongst the chances, it will come for sure".

Bendtner: Sunderland just a stepping stone

"I miss the Champions League a lot. It's a little hard to see the fantastic tournament go ahead without being present", Nicklas Bendtner to Danish media.

Nicklas Bendtner has played a number of Champions League games with Arsenal and has among other things completed a Champions League hattrick against FC Porto.

The Danish striker also has a large requirement for his next employer.

"I will play Champions League with my next club. That is 100 % certain".

The loanee from Arsenal states that he has settled in well at Sunderland, but he sees it as a step towards something bigger.

"I am here primarily to play football as a solid first choice at my favorite place in front as a striker", Bendtner said, after scoring his first Sunderland goal Saturday.

Bendtner ends goal drought

Nicklas Bendtner scores his frist goal for Sunderland, and assisted the other, as Sunderland drew againt West Bromwich in the match on Saturday.

This brings Bendtners goal tally to 1 in 4 games, and his assist tally to 3 in 4 games.

Daily Star columnist slams Bendtner with harsh criticism

It seems as if the fans approve of Bendtner first three games in Sunderland, claming af third place, a second place and this week the first place in Sunderland AFCs Star Man competition.

Apperently not all share that point of view. Today, in his column "Wooly's world", journalist Brian Woolnough from Daily Star, writes about Steve Bruce's complete rebulid of the Sunderland squad:

"Bruce decided to completely re-build his side this season, using the £56m gained from selling Bent, Jordan Henderson, Kenwyne Jones and Anton Ferdinand. He made 11 signings and supporters wait to see if the quality of the above has been replaced. Or has he just bought squad players?"

On Bendtner he wrote:

"Bruce, for instance, has put the responsibility of goals in the hands of Danish international Nicklas Bendtner. At Arsenal the confident Bendtner said he could become the greatest striker in the world. A winning goal today would help his outrageous claim".

"Yet is swapping Bent with the disappointing Bendtner where Sunderland are at? Content with second best?".

With Bendtner in the line up for todays fixture, Bendtner will have the opportunity so silence some of his critics including Mr. Woolnough, however it would probably take a goal or two.

Bendtner confirmed in line up

Nicklas Bendtner will be in the line up for todays fixture against West Brom on the Stadium og Light, Sunderland AFC just confirmed on safc.com.

Bendtner Star Man against Norwich

It looks as if Nicklas Bendtner will claim his first Star Man title this season, according to the online poll on the official Sunderland AFC website, safc.com.

Currently Bendtner leads the poll massively with more than 36 % of the votes followed by Kieran Richardson.

The overall Star Man 2011/2012 standings after the first 7 games looks like this:

1. Stephane Sessegnon (2)
1. Wes Brown (2)
3. Nicklas Bendtner (1)
3. David Vaughan (1)
3. John O'Shea (1)

Nicklas Bendtner’s performance against Norwich top rated

Sunderland might have lost yet another Premier League fixture and Nicklas Bendtner’s goal drought did continue yesterday, when Sunderland lost 1-2 on Carrow Road, but today Bendtner is credited in British media for his efforts.

Goal.com gave Bendtner the highest rating amongst the Sunderland players stating:

“For much of the first half, the Dane seemed the only Black Cat who knew what he was doing in possession. Had an excellent turn-and-volley well saved in the first period”.

The BBC match report stated, that “the Dane was Sunderland's most promising player”.

Eurosport, Sky Sports and The Guardian also has Bendtner as the top rated Sunderland player.

Bendtner confirmed in line up against Norwich

As excpected Nicklas Bendtner will lead the line in front in todays fixture against Norwich, according to The Official Sunderland Website safc.com.

Bookmakers believe in Bendtner tonight

It is widely expected, that Nicklas Bendtner will make his third consecutive line up in the Premier League as Sunderland visit Norwich tonight. This will be the first time in 18 month, that Bendtner get three starts in a row.

Sunderland Boss: Nicklas is larger than life

According to Daily Star Steve Bruce has told Nicklas Bendtner he can make Sunderland fans forget all about Asamoah Gyan.

Bendtner, 23, joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan from Arsenal on deadline day and now carries their main goal threat after Ghana star Gyan left for cash-rich United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain two weeks ago.

Vaughan: Bendtner settling in

David Vaughan is confident Sunderland are beginning to form an understanding with new boy Nicklas Bendtner.

Bendtner called up for international duty

Nicklas Bendtner has been called up for international duty, when Denmark go to Cyprus on October 7th and 4 days later face Portugal at home in the last two games of the Euro qualification.

Nicklas Bendtner is currently playing regularly in Sunderland AFC. The Denmark squad will therefore welcome a match fit Nicklas Bendtner home, as opposed to his time in Arsenal.

See also: Norwich Game could be Bendtner's first "three in a row" in 18 months.

Norwich game could be Bendtner's first "three in a row" in 18 months

It is well known that lack of first team opportunities in Arsene Wengers team, where the main reason for Nicklas Bendtner's desire to leave Arsenal. If Bendtner starts on monday against Norwich, only 26 days into his loan spell, he would achieve something he haven't achieved in the last 18 month. Three consecutive starts in the Premier League.

Steve Bruce: Signing Bendtner a "no-brainer"

When Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was able to sign Nicklas Bendtner on a loan deal bringing him to the Stadium of Light, he didn't think twice about it.

Larsson: Bendtner will become huge hit in Sunderland AFC

Sebastian Larsson has backed Nicklas Bendtner’s decision to end his Arsenal misery after linking up with the Dane for the third time in his career.

Craig Gardner: Bendtner makes midfield attacking easier

According to Journal Live, Craig Gardner thought that the Sunderland team brought it all together in the match against Stoke, and showed what the Black Cats are capable of:

Win Nicklas Bendtner's jersey!

The Nicklas Bendtner Report now offers you the chance of winning a Nicklas Bendtner Sunderland jersey. All you have to do is follow us on Twitter, where we keep you up to date with Nicklas Bendter newsstories.

The draw will take place 1st of october amongst our followers on Twitter, and we will announce the winner on Twitter as well.

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We hope to see you on Twitter. Good luck in the draw!

Nicklas Bendtner Report

Bendtner second best against Stoke according to fans

Even though he still has to score his first goal in the red and white stripes,
Sunderland fans seems happy with Bendtners perfomance.

Bendtner-assist in 4-0 triumph against Stoke

Nicklas Bendtner played 81 minutes in today's match between Sunderland and Stoke, and the Danish striker made an impact.


The Black Cat's second goal came, when Sebastian Larrson tried to find Bendtner with a long cross into the penalty area. In an effort to clear the ball from a lurking Bendtner, Stoke defender Jonathan Woodgate sent the ball into his own net.


Just minutes later, Bendtner made the assist in the third goal, bringing his assist-tally up to two in two games.


After 81 minutes, Bendtner was replaced and even though he still has to score his first goal in red and white, fans gave him a standing applause as he left the pitch.

Bendtner confirmed in line up against Stoke

As expected, Nicklas Bendtner is in the starting line up against Stoke and this will be his second appereance for the Black Cats.

Bendtner to Danish media: I have been misunderstood

In a rare moment of self-knowledge in an interview with Danish TV 2, Nicklas Bendtner admits, that he can be cocky when speaking to the press, but also have been misunderstood.

The Danish striker hopes to be reborn in the north of England with Sunderland this season.

One of his goals this season is to make up with the general opinion, that he is an overrated player with an ego not matching his talents on the pitch.

"It's my own fault. I have come to say things that could be misunderstood. I have not been clear enough, and people have turned and twisted what I said", Bendtner said.

All though this season offers football at a smaller club than he is accustomed to, Bendtner still believe that he can reach a higher level in his career.

"I have ambition to play Champions League again. When you've been there, you know how important a tournament it is. But for now I am not thinking about that".

Bendtner will with utmost certainty be in  the starting 11, when Sunderland clashes with Stoke on the Stadium of Light later today.

Bendtner: Sunderland can finish in the top six

Sunderland's on-loan Arsenal striker was a transfer-window target for Potters chief Tony Pulis, whose unbeaten side travel to the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

The Danish ace, 23, opted instead for a season-long stint on Wearside — and now he wants to solve the Black Cats' goal woes and give boss Bruce a boost.

Bendtner, who drew a debut blank in last week's loss to Chelsea, admits he might have been in the visiting changing room tomorrow.

"There were lots of other clubs interested but being at Sunderland is the only thing I value."

Winless Sunderland have netted only twice in eight hours but Bendtner said: "Scoring a goal a game is my aim. I've come to a club that can finish in the top six."

Bendtner: My focus lies with Sunderland

Bendtner in action for the Black Cats

Nicklas Bendtner believes he is at a time in his career where he needs to be playing regular football and so was happy to get the opportunity to do so with Steve Bruce’s side.

Earlier today he told reporters, that the decision to go on a loan move to Sunderland was an easy decision.

"I'd been in and out of the team a lot and never really got a run of games and that was something I felt I couldn't do anymore. I am getting to an age where I need to play regularly. I want to be a football player and achieve the ambitions I have and I couldn't do that while being in Arsenal so for me it was an easy decision to come to Sunderland and play".

After coming from a team that have played in the Champions League consistently season after season, Bendtner admitted he still has the taste for the continent's elite competition, but wants to do well where he is right now.

"I'm not looking at that at the moment. I'm looking one year ahead and being here for one year is where my focus lies".

What Sunderland needs and Bendtner can do

In light of the current Sunderland ranking, only one goal away from the relegation spots, The Nicklas Bendtner Report hereby present what Sunderland needs and what Bendtner can do. Goals!

These videos are dedicated to all hopeful Nicklas Bendtner and Sunderland AFC fans following The Nicklas Bendtner Report, hoping for a season turnaround on Sunday against Stoke.

Yet another praise from Steve Bruce to Nicklas Bendtner

Nicklas Bendtner is a player usually known for his self believe and confidence in own abilities. And it seems Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to keep it that way.

On Monday, Bruce praised Bendtner for a solid Sunderland debut, stating that Bendtner offers the Sunderland team something different and that he should not be judged against a team as good as Chelsea, especially having played 90 minutes for Denmark in the same week.

Today, Bruce backs Bendtner once again on the official website of Sunderland AFC, safc.com:

“You can see that Nicklas gives us a new dimension. He is a very good player who I’m sure will have a big season for us. We saw flashes of that against Chelsea and for me he’ll only get better”.

Sunday’s match against Stoke will indicate whether Bendtner can live up to expectations. A goal would surely relieve some of the pressure currently increasing.

Jan Mølby: Sunderland team not good enough for Bendtner

In an interview with Danish TV3, former Danish international and Liverpool star Jan Mølby, commented on Bendtner's loan deal with Sunderland and whether the club and the team is good match for Bendtner.

"As a club I believe Sunderland has the right profile for Bendtner. It is a big club and it has ambitions. The board knows what it takes to be succesful", Jan Mølby said.

However, his response regarding the player material in the team, was quite another matter.

"If you look at the team, that could easily be a problem for Bendtner.The player material is not good. The team lacks profiles. Clearly Bendtner has been brought in as the star man. He is the one who needs to show the way. He is the one who has to score the goal. Fingers crossed that he kan pull it off. We will see", Mølby ends.

Last week Bendtner stated, that he felt no pressure despite Asamoah Gyans move to Al-Ain in The United Arab Emirates.

Rumour: Bruce looking to sign Bendtner permanently

According to The People, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is already keen to sign Arsenal loanee Nicklas Bendtner.

The report suggests that Bruce is trying to make Bendtner's loan deal from Arsenal permanent.

The article continues, implying that the Gunners are thought to want around £9 million for the Dane in the forthcoming summer, but Bruce, who managed Bendtner on a loan at Birmingham City, expects that figure to rise if he impresses during his loan spell at The Stadium of Light.

The club has yet to comment on the rumours.

Fans give Bendtner vote of confidence

A poll in a local Sunderland newspaper today show that Sunderland fans see Nicklas Bendtner as the favorite of being Sunderland’s top scorer this season.

Just a few days after the Bendtner switch from Arsenal to Sunderland on the last day of transfer window, the club shocked by informing that Asamoah Gyan, Bendtner’s closest rival in the Sunderland attack, will be playing in the United Arab Emirates club Al-Ain on a season long loan.

That leaves Bendtner as the obvious choice as target man in the starting line up, and this is apparently a task the fans believe he can fulfill.

53% of the fans believe Bendtner will be the most scoring player in Sunderland offense in the ongoing campaign, followed by Stephane Sessegnon with 20 %. The goal scorer against Chelsea Saturday, Ji Dong-won, claimed 19 % of the votes.

The talented 18-year old youngster Connor Wickham, who transferred from Ipswich just before the summer break for a record breaking fee of £8 million, apparently need a little more experience under his belt according to the poll, as only 2 % see him as the top scorer this season.

The Sunderland campaign continues Sunday, when the team face Stoke at Stadium of Light.

Bendtner manager under pressure

Nicklas Bendtner was a happy man, when he was presented in Sunderland's striped shirt Thursday. But the Dane's smile might stiffen again soon. The manager who signed Bendtner on a season long loan deal, his former manager at Birmingham Steve Bruce, is in fact in danger of being fired in Sunderland, according to several British newspapers.

The rumours claim that Sunderland owner, Ellis Short, have considered sacking Bruce after the club's defeat to Chelsea Saturday. But it's not true, according to sources at the club.

They have told Sky Sports, that Steve Bruce is not in danger of being fired. There are no one questioning his position.

With four matches played in the Premier League Sunderland occupies a 16th space with just two points.

Bendtner: I can handle the pressure!

Danish international striker Nicklas Bendtner will not let the pressure that may be on him in Sunderland, affect his game.

Nicklas Bendtner´s responsibility in Sunderland increased further when his team mate Asamoah Gyan announced his switch to the Middle Eastern club Al-Ain.

Thus, the Danish midfielder only have three colleagues in the attack, but the situation suits him just great.

"I can easily handle the pressure. I just hope I can deliver", Nicklas Bendtner says according to The Shields Gazette.

Nicklas Bendtner has had a tough time at Arsenal, where he lived a life on the bench in the last season. Therefore, he was happy to get a loan agreement with Sunderland in the last minutes of the transfer window.

"There were many things I was not happy. But I do not want to talk too much about it now because I've put it behind me. I look forward, and it was good for me to come here on loan for a year", he says.

The tall striker had a great deal of confidence when he scored both goals for Denmark in the 2-0 victory in European Championship qualifying match against Norway last week.

Nicklas Bendtner was also close to score in his debut for Sunderland against Chelsea when he headed from close range. It was a great chance but he sent his header just off target.

Sunderland lost 1-2 to Chelsea.

"It is always difficult to play against teams like Chelsea. Chelsea are a good team with strong players", Bendtner ends.

Fans: Bendtner third best SAFC-player against Chelsea

According to a poll on safc.com, Sunderland fans rate Bendtner as the third best player in the team in the 1-2 defeat against Chelsea, claiming more than 10 % of the votes.

Bendtner led a one man attack against a strong Chelsea defense, however Bendtner made the assist for the only Sunderland goal in the final minutes of the game.

Former Manchester United player and SAFC-captain Wes Brown was voted Star Man claiming more than 32 % of the votes. Goalscorer Ji Dong-won came second with 31 %.

Sunderland-debut leave Bendtner with mixed emotions

Nicklas Bendtner had mixed emotions after a losing debut for Sunderland against Chelsea.

The forward played the full 90 minutes of the game, after sealing his loan move from Arsenal, and he is keen to make more progress with his new team.

"You're never happy when you come off the pitch and your team haven't won, so I want to win and I want to put myself among the goals," he told safc.com.

"I was happy to be able to set up the goal today but I would have liked to have hit the target with my first half header. We can see today what the fans expect of us, so hopefully we can make up for that next week."

Sunderland will clash with Stoke in the fifth round of the Premier League on sunday.