Source: Daily_Mail
Bruce calls for consistency as another test against the top four test looms
Steve Bruce has warned his Sunderland players not to get carried away by their record against the Barclays Premier League's big four as they head for leaders Chelsea.[LNB]The Black Cats have beaten both Liverpool and Arsenal at the Stadium of Light this season and were within seconds of a famous victory at Manchester United when Anton Ferdinand's last-gasp own goal rescued a 2-2 draw for Sir Alex Ferguson's men.[LNB]However, Bruce freely admits his new-look side was taught a lesson by the Blues when they left Wearside with a 3-1 victory on August 18, and he knows what the consequences could be if they are not at their very best at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.[LNB] Looking for something? Steve Bruce has called for his side to be more consistent[LNB]He said: 'On our day, we know we have got some very talented footballers who can produce a level. The big question mark over us is we haven't done it consistently enough.[LNB]'Against the big teams when there is no expectation, we have done extremely well. I hope that continues.[LNB]'We will have to be at our best. You know when you go to Chelsea that you will have to be at your best because if you are not, you know what the consequences are.[LNB]'We have to be at our best and hope we catch Chelsea not at their best.'[LNB]Those wins over Liverpool and Arsenal contributed to a hugely impressive start to the season by the Black Cats, who at one point found themselves being talked of as possible European contenders.[LNB]However, a run of just one win in 11 league fixtures and none in the last seven has seen them slip to 11th place as injuries and suspensions have hit hard.[LNB] With a little help: A beachball played a crucial role as Sunderland beat Liverpool[LNB]But although they have collected just five of the 30 points they have contested on the road to date, their exploits against the big boys may have created a certain level of expectation.[LNB]Bruce said: 'I hope so - quite possibly. But the one thing we are not going to do is get carried away because we have had a couple of results against the top teams.[LNB]'Chelsea turned us over big style when they came up here six months ago. It would be great if we could turn that around and turn that form around, and we will look forward to that challenge.[LNB]'They were magnificent when they played us at the Stadium of Light.[LNB]'Anyone who witnessed that game, even though we took the lead and were one-up at half-time, they gave an absolutely unbelievable performance, arguably as good as I have seen against any team over the last 10, 11 years.[LNB]'They were that good on the night. However, they have got three or missing themselves, it's a different situation and we are six months in.[LNB] Lesson: Michael Ballack (left) scores in Chelsea's rout of Sunderland in August[LNB]We will go there with the attitude that we know we are capable - we have done it before - of producing a result.'[LNB]Bruce, who took his squad to Portugal this week for four days of warm weather training after falling foul of the wintry conditions at home, hopes to have Kenwyne Jones, Kieran Richardson and Bolo Zenden back from injury.[LNB]But he is still likely to be without the suspended Michael Turner, as well as Craig Gordon, Nyron Nosworthy, Anton Ferdinand, Andy Reid, Lee Cattermole and John Mensah, all of whom remain on the casualty list.[LNB]That has become a depressing theme in recent months, and Bruce is hoping 2010 will bring better fortunes on the fitness front. [LNB]He said: 'We have had no luck at all in terms of that over the last five or six weeks. [LNB]'We have had eight and 10 players missing, most of them defenders, so we hope that in the next half of the season, we can have our fair share of people staying fit and healthy and if we can do that, I am convinced we can still have a good second half of the season.'[LNB] ALL THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWSSunderland chief Quinn blasts 'stupid' window as a money-maker for agentsEnd of the line for Russell Anderson at Sunderland as Black Cats terminate contract ALL THE SUNDERLAND ATHLETIC FC
