Source: Northern_Echo
Sunderland's spirit gives Bruce a boost
SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce believes coming from behind to earn a point against Liverpool at the weekend will give his side a big confidence boost going into Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby.[LNB] Seb Larsson's stunning acrobatic volley in the 57th minute cancelled out Luis Suarez's opener after Sunderland had weathered a heavy storm at Anfield in the first half.[LNB] The Black Cats boss admitted his side were lucky to go in at half-time just one goal behind after Kenny Dalglish's men had squandered several chances.[LNB] The Black Cats welcome Newcastle to the Stadium of Light on Saturday lunchtime keen to improve on their performances in the fixture last season.[LNB] After a heavy defeat at St James' Park, the Black Cats were lucky to grab a last minute equaliser on Wearside and Bruce is hoping to have better fortune this time round.[LNB] Coming from behind at Anfield to get a draw was a big result for us going ahead to next weekend, Bruce said.[LNB] We know what is up next so it is a huge boost to us. We got off to a horrible start and kept plugging away at Liverpool when it wasn't going that well, that will get the players thinking that they can compete with the best.[LNB] Eventually we turned the game our way and hopefully that's the start we wanted and we can build on it.[LNB] It is an unbelievable one first time up at home. It gives us a bit of confidence after the result at Anfield and I must be due a bit of better luck than I had last season in the derby.[LNB] It's one we should all be looking forward to and I certainly am.[LNB] After coming under immense pressure in the first half, the Wearsiders turned things around in the second half at Anfield something Bruce puts down to an improved mental attitude amongst his players.[LNB] And the Black Cats boss believes the players who have come in from current champions Manchester United are helping to breed a positive mentality in the squad.[LNB] He said: Roy Keane brought Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley in, I have brought in John O'Shea, Wes Brown from United and I had Danny Welbeck on loan, while I also signed Fraizer Campbell.[LNB] The one thing that you know they will bring you if they have spent years at Old Trafford is a fantastic mental attitude.[LNB] When you get players who have been there that long they know what they are doing and how to approach the game.[LNB] You don't spend ten years at a club like United and not bring that mentality the likes of Wes and O'Shea have it and they have brought it to us.[LNB] If that helps us this season then great. That's what we signed them for as well as their ability and hopefully their experience will rub off on the players that around them.[LNB] Sunderland's reserve side lost 3-2 at Chelsea yesterday.[LNB] Oumare Tounkara and Roarie Deacon were on target for Keith Bertschin's side.[LNB] Robbie Keane has completed his transfer to the Los Angeles Galaxy from Tottenham Hotspur.[LNB]
