Steve Bruce has revealed his interest in Aston Villa’s right-back Habib Beye.

Bruce said:

“It’s defensively that we are looking to do things this month,” said Bruce.

“I went to bat with only two full-backs, McCartney who is sick this weekend and Bardsley. It gives me problems whenever there is a slight injury.

“We are still looking to sign players at the back, it’s the area we are short. We are down to the bare bones in that respect so that’s where we are trying to reinforce and strengthen.

“Habib Beye is one I like and admire, but that’s as a far as it has gone at the moment.

“We are interested in him and we have had a look at him, but I’m not sure whether we are going to be able to do anything.”

I for one would welcome this signing. It might be a short-term fix but he’d be a welcome replacement for the average Phil Bardsley.

Yet another poor result from the lads yesterday. After Brucie’s inspired speeches during the week I think we expected Sunderland to come out all guns blazing and sweep aside a poor Pompey side to book our place in the 5th round cup draw.

But, as we have become accustomed to, we were let down. I’m really unsure where the blame lies and in all honesty, I don’t care. The fact of the matter is, we need new players in and we need them fast. Sunderland play Everton on Wednesday night and it would be nice if we have a signing or two in before then. It’s obvious that McCartney and Bardsley are very much weak links in the Sunderland side. McCartney is regularly sidelined due to injuries and unknown illnesses. When he does play he looks uninterested and quite simply, he isn’t good enough.

Matthew Kilgallon was our first January signing (unfortunately he was cup-tied yesterday). Putting pen to paper on a 3 year contract last week. I don’t know a great deal about him but he was very popular amongst the Sheffield Utd supporters. You never know, we might have unearthed another Phil Jagielka. But looking at past signings we’ve made from the Championship, I wouldn’t put my money on it.

So, to the game:

Sunderland went one up against Portsmouth when Jordan Henderson flicked on a Sunderland throw in the direction of Darren Bent who hit the ball into the back of the Portsmouth net. That was Darren Bent’s 15th goal of the season. Sunderland were the better side in the opening stages and Portsmouth didn’t really look like troubling us. But Portsmouth were gifted a goal before half-time when Craig Gordon was caught way out of position and Utaka managed to head the ball over the stranded keeper and into the net.

Portsmouth scored their second goal not long after half-time. A Gordon goal-kick was launched right back into his own area from a Younes Kaboul headed clearance. It fell to Utaka who calmly nestled the ball past Gordon and into the Sunderland goal to make it 2-1.

Sunderland huffed and puffed but they couldn’t make their few chances count. Da Silva had a header cleared off the line late on that the Sunderland players and fans were convinced was over. But the referee and linesman decided otherwise and Sunderland’s grim run of form on the road continues.