Source: PA
Bruce hopes to smash stereotype
Manager Steve Bruce is on a mission to eradicate his side's inconsistency after becoming fed up with them being tagged 'typical Sunderland'.
Bruce's issues are understandable because despite Sunderland riding high in eighth position in the Barclays Premier League, they are yet to win two successive games this season.
Since a run of five consecutive draws over September and October, the last eight games highlight Sunderland's problem. Their form reads - won, lost, won, drew, won, drew, lost, won.
Another annoying factor for Bruce is that his side have defeated Manchester City and Chelsea, the latter a remarkable 3-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge, and drawn against Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Yet their three defeats this season have been at Wolves and against promoted clubs West Brom and Newcastle, the latter a particularly hurtful 5-1 humiliation at St James' Park.
"I don't think it's complacency. It's the mindset which is the hardest thing to deal with," said Bruce. "Following the defeat to Wolves (3-2 a fortnight ago), on the TV and in the press it was 'typical Sunderland'. That is the one thing I have to eradicate. That is the hardest job on my plate, to take the club forward, to get rid of this 'typical Sunderland' tag where we win one, lose one."
