Cats boss wants time to shine

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce believes the Black Cats will flourish if he is allowed a lengthy spell at the helm at the Stadium of Light. Bruce took over in June last year and guided them to 13th in the Premier League in his first season in charge.Bruce's men have made a solid start to the current campaign and have managed recent draws against Arsenal and Liverpool.The former Birmingham and Wigan coach, 49, believes it is crucial that he is given time to mould a successful team and is confident his young squad will achieve success in the future."We've made something like 30 changes (going) out in 18 months and we've gone for young players," he told the Northern Echo. "I can see the makings, if we get a fair crack of the whip, of a very decent team. "When they get together and play a bit more, like (Jordan) Henderson and (Ahmed) Elmohamody from Egypt; they all played exceptionally well (at Liverpool) - along with my two centre backs. "We played really well against Arsenal and I should have freshened it up for the League Cup against West Ham. I made a mistake. But overall I'm very pleased. "I'm 15/16 months in to the job but I'd still like another year to see where we are. I think we've made big strides."Bruce was commenting after backing under-pressure Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, who has come in for some criticism despite only taking over at Anfield in the summer.The Sunderland boss added: "It is very difficult to judge anyone after five or six games or 15 months."I think Liverpool have the right man in charge. He has got vast experience. It is a difficult time."Always in my experience if it is not right above you then it filters down, even at Liverpool."

Source: Team_Talk