Wigan defender Titus Bramble has been tipped to make his England debut by team-mate Chris Kirkland.
Stop laughing at the back. One-cap wonder Kirkland made the comment after Bramble - pictured here beating up Djibril Cisse - dominated Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones in the Latics' 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
"He's been my player of the season by a mile," said Kirkland, whose own England career has been torn apart by injuries. "He's been performing like that every week, so I'd have to say he's international standard."
Bramble, 27, came through the ranks at Ipswich and was an U21 regular before his move to Newcastle United.
It is at the goldfish bowl of St James' Park where it all went Titus-up for Bramble as his tendency to slice the occasional clearance and mis-time the odd challenge gave him a national reputation as a boo-boo merchant of the highest order.
'Tight A***' was voted worst player in Premier League history in some poll or other, denounced as a clown by his own fans and even had Facebook groups created by student losers mocking his perceived lack of ability.
But Steve Bruce has ironed-out the rough edges and, as part of a back five with the fifth-best defensive record in the top flight, Kirkland may have a case about his team-mate.
How Toon could do with someone like him right now.
Stop laughing at the back. One-cap wonder Kirkland made the comment after Bramble - pictured here beating up Djibril Cisse - dominated Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones in the Latics' 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light.
"He's been my player of the season by a mile," said Kirkland, whose own England career has been torn apart by injuries. "He's been performing like that every week, so I'd have to say he's international standard."
Bramble, 27, came through the ranks at Ipswich and was an U21 regular before his move to Newcastle United.
It is at the goldfish bowl of St James' Park where it all went Titus-up for Bramble as his tendency to slice the occasional clearance and mis-time the odd challenge gave him a national reputation as a boo-boo merchant of the highest order.
'Tight A***' was voted worst player in Premier League history in some poll or other, denounced as a clown by his own fans and even had Facebook groups created by student losers mocking his perceived lack of ability.
But Steve Bruce has ironed-out the rough edges and, as part of a back five with the fifth-best defensive record in the top flight, Kirkland may have a case about his team-mate.
How Toon could do with someone like him right now.
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