Brunt Blasts Sturrock

Highly-rated Wednesday winger Chris Brunt has blasted former boss Paul Sturrock for labelling the Northern Ireland international 'lazy' and making life at Hillsborough difficult.

Sturrock, now working his magic at League Two side Swindon Town, had labelled Brunt an 'enigma' - yet had likened his performances to as good as David Beckham one week, and Victoria Beckham the next.

He also upset the Belfast-born winger by referring to his style as 'lazy' in the media, leading to Brunt blasting his former boss in the Belfast Telegraph this week.

'He may have thought it was banter but it didn't come across that way to me or the fans,' he told the Belfast Telegraph.

'Fans believed what he was saying and that didn't make my life any easier. I took a lot of stick from the supporters and I actually had to go and speak to Paul Sturrock so I could ask him why he made such a comment.

'He tried to rectify the situation with the fans but they never really came round until he left.'

And Brunt has enjoyed arguably his best vein of form in the famous blue and white stripes since the departure of Sturrock, attracting the interest of Premiership clubs Manchester City and West Ham United, as well as earning a re-call to the Northern Ireland senior squad.

And Brunt has pointed towards the appointment of Brian Laws as a big help in his improved form.

He added: 'Paul Sturrock used to play me all over the pitch and it felt at times that I was the scapegoat. But since the new manager has come in, he's used me primarily on the left.

'It's been better for me, it's easier to get more consistency and obviously that's where my goals have come from.'

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