Source: Telegraph
Sunderland fans can expect change in fortune, says Lee Cattermole
Cattermole, who insisted manager Steve Bruce still enjoyed the full support of the first-team squad despite a run of 13 top-flight games without a win, is confident that Sunderland will start climbing the Premier League table. [LNB]"I know the lads are fully behind the manager and everyone's pulling in the same direction so I am sure you will see the points come on the board," Cattermole said. [LNB] Related ArticlesBruce fined by FA for referee rantRichardson rallies Sunderland teammatesArsenal v Sunderland: previewKenwyne Jones eyeing Liverpool moveBent: Sunderland can wreck Arsenal title bidCana: pressure mounting at Sunderland"We're still looking to finish in the top half rather than the bottom. I know the run has been pretty bad but we can't just look down, we've got to look upwards. [LNB]"One you put a couple of wins together people can start talking about Europe again. It is ridiculous how quickly things can change. We have just got to keep working hard on the training ground and take those things into the games at the weekend." [LNB]The England U21 international was speaking ahead of Fulham's visit to the Stadium of Light this Sunday - the first of four home games in a row on Wearside that will define the club's first season under Bruce. [LNB]Cattermole, who followed Bruce from Wigan in a £6 million move last summer, is bullish about his club's prospects for the rest of the campaign. [LNB]The former Middlesbrough midfielder added: "We had a really good season last year (at Wigan). We had a dip midway through and then we managed to come back and I sure this team will. We have too much quality [LNB]"People do mention relegation in interviews but I don't usually like to talk about it. We know the position we are in. [LNB]"We are on a bit of a bad run but we stopped it and went three games unbeaten and those points will prove to be massive come the end of the season." [LNB]Cattermole, who missed last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal due to suspension, continued: "We were three games unbeaten and could have come out of those with nine points or seven. [LNB]"We were unlucky at times and didn't quite get the rub of the green. We just need a bit more quality in the final third. [LNB]"We are harder to beat, we have a better shape so we are not conceding as many goals. If we show more quality in the final third that will see us pick up some wins. [LNB]"I heard the effort and commitment were there at Arsenal and before that we hadn't conceded in two of three games and so it is better than what it was. We have pretty much a full squad now barring Andy Reid and Jordan Henderson. [LNB]"If you get a little run of home games like that you have got to be looking at trying to pick up some points. There are no easy games where you can say there will be three points guaranteed but as long as you are doing things right then you have got a good chance. "[LNB]Sunderland are 14th in the Premier League table with 26 points, three off the relegation places, although just four points separate West Ham in 13th and second-bottom Burnley. [LNB]Cattermole will return to Bruce's first XI, hoping the injury problems that have blighted his time on Wearside are over. [LNB]"Even if I stay fit now it won't be until the end of the season it'll be the last few games where I really feel I'm back to full strength," Cattermole said. [LNB]"I spoke to the manager a couple of times about it, you have six to eight weeks off in the summer, you need six weeks of training to be ready for the season and to play a game, and I had eight weeks off, two days training, played a game and got injured. [LNB]"It just shows you have to do everything right and downstairs (at the Academy of Light gym) I've had a mini pre-season since the Portsmouth game and I'm feeling okay." [LNB]
