Source: Team_Talk
Bruce pleased with Cats progress
Steve Bruce declared himself pleased with Sunderland's progress this season after they secured their Premier League status by beating Burnley.[LNB] Saturday's 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light mathematically assured the Black Cats of a fourth successive top-flight campaign, although their presence has not been in doubt for several weeks - a luxury they have not been afforded in the two previous campaigns since their return to the big time.[LNB]Bruce arrived on Wearside during the summer and was handed the task of establishing the club in the Premier League and ending the yo-yo existence which has characterised its recent past.[LNB]With three games of the season to play, they remain in 13th place but are just two points shy of the top 10, and a top-half finish would be evidence of real progress.[LNB]But whatever happens over the next few weeks, Bruce is confident that things are moving in the right direction despite a mid-season lull which saw them go 14 league games without a win.[LNB]He said: "I think we have improved, I think we have got the makings of a decent side here.[LNB]"We are a couple of points off being 10th, which is no mean achievement.[LNB]"When you take those top eight in the Premier League, they will take some catching.[LNB]"Below that, we are making a fair fist of it, which is progress for where we have been in the last couple of seasons.[LNB]"It's going to be one of those seasons where it could have been a marvellous one - it could have been marvellous in the [Carling] Cup, we should have knocked out Villa.[LNB]"However, we have had a decent season, we have done okay, so as long as we keep improving and keep going upwards, I am pleased."[LNB]To put Sunderland's current situation into perspective, their previous two flirtations with the top flight ended in unmitigated disaster when they were relegated with just 19 points in 2003 and then 15 three seasons later.[LNB]But under chairman Niall Quinn's stewardship and with the financial backing of first the Drumaville consortium and now Ellis Short, they have been able to build steadily towards a much firmer foundation.[LNB]Bruce said: "When you look at this club and analyse it, you scratch your head sometimes, how it can only get 15 points and 19 points, and say 'why?'.[LNB]"A club of this stature with the support we have got and the training ground and the infrastructure...[LNB]"But that's now three years on the spin we have been in it and we can only get bigger and better and stronger.[LNB]"The top eight will take some catching. Our aim is to be the best of the rest for now, and we are close to it. We have still got a chance."[LNB]Saturday's victory over Burnley provided further evidence of the club's development as the Black Cats over-powered the visitors before the break, by which point they should have had the points wrapped up.[LNB]Fraizer Campbell's 25th-minute opener gave them a deserved lead, and when Darren Bent fired in his 24th goal of the season four minutes before the break, the points were effectively secure.[LNB]Burnley rallied in the second half, but they had to wait until the 82nd minute for substitute Steven Thompson to give them hope, but it was all too little, too late.[LNB]Bruce, who took injury-plagued defender John Mensah off at half-time to protect him, was able to cast one eye towards the future with David Meyler and Jordan Henderson pairing up in a youthful central midfield partnership.[LNB]He said: "We have got some good young players at the club, which can only bode well.[LNB]"The pair of them are close to agreeing five-year deals and we are delighted. It's lovely to see two young kids coming through.[LNB]"As far as I am concerned, the more the merrier. It's fantastic, it's good to see."
