Bruce plans to win over fans

New boss Steve Bruce does not expect his Geordie roots to be held against him by Sunderland fans.The former Birmingham boss was unveiled as the new manager of the Black Cats on Wednesday after a compensation package was finally agreed with former club Wigan.Bruce has made no secret of the fact he was a boyhood fan of Newcastle, Sunderland's neighbours and fiercest rivals, but he does not expect that to be a problem."I don't think so," he said. "I think they like one of their own from the north east."It's results on the pitch that matter. I hope I can win over the few doubters I have. The vast majority of what I've seen is positive."Bruce believes being from the north east will give him an advantage, adding: "It's a working class area. It was born in me and bred in me that I only got there with hard work. I wasn't blessed with any huge ability. I got there with a bit of hard graft and a bit of determination and I want my team to mirror that."

Source: Eurosport