Source: Eurosport
Bruce demands further improvement
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not be happy until he can dismiss a poor performance as a blip.[LNB] The Black Cats fought back from a 2-0 deficit against West Ham at the weekend to snatch a draw and take their tally for the season to 17 points from 11 games and - while that represents a promising start for the new manager - Bruce is challenging his players to repeat it in their next 11 fixtures to pave the way for genuine progress.[LNB] He told his side's official website: "The campaign is a long one and it's not just going to happen where we turn ourselves into European contenders overnight - this club has only been two years out of the Championship. There's still a lot of work and a lot of improvement to do until we get to a point where we can say it's a blip if we play poorly."[LNB] He added: "We have got to look at it this way - can we do the same over the next 11 games? Can we pick up another 17 points?[LNB] "If we do that, we will have a decent platform for a decent season."[LNB] Saturday's recovery ensured that only Chelsea have left the Stadium of Light with all three points this season, with Blackburn, Hull, Wolves and Liverpool all having lost on Wearside.[LNB] The Black Cats succumbed on their own pitch on no fewer than 10 occasions last season, and that turn-around has pleased the manager as much as anything.[LNB] He said: "The most important thing is doing it in front of our own fans, and that's what we knew we needed to do this year.[LNB] "People were telling me the best performances last season were away from home, but now I think the fans have realised there's been an improvement and they can understand and enjoy what we are trying to do on the pitch.[LNB] "The players deserve a pat on the back because we have lost once - against Chelsea - and that's a decent return."
