So, the transfer window slammed shut, the transfer gate was bolted and the transfer deadline has been passed with about as much excitement as the latest Ant and Dec extravaganza causes here at Sixsmith Towers.

The Brucester is now stuck with what he has until January and it is up to him and Eric Black to make something of an expensively assembled group of players. We are the third biggest spenders in the window after Manchester City (surprise, surprise) and Aston Villa (who appear to buy nothing but defenders, crocks and children).

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Colin Randall casts an eye on the comings and goings at the Stadium of Light and considers the question on everyone’s lips: has Steve Bruce struck the right balance? …

No last-minute surprises in terms of new men coming in, despite a flurry of rumours about a loan exchange with Spurs involving Anton Ferdinand and Alan Hutton.

So we make do for now with the acquisitions Steve Bruce as made and bid farewell to a number of players who have served the club well.

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