Bruce wants win for owner

Cats boss determined to pick up victory against Bolton

By James Riach   Last updated: 8th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bruce wants win for owner

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Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has praised the club's owner Ellis Short and hopes to repay him with performances on the pitch.

The Texan businessman will be in the stands for the Black Cats' Premier League clash with Bolton at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, with Bruce's side looking for a first league win in 15 games.

Chairman Niall Quinn has recently revealed that American Short converted £48million into shares at the start of the season to provide funds to recruit the likes of Darren Bent, Lee Cattermole, Michael Turner and Lorik Cana.

But with Sunderland currently just three points above the relegation zone in the top flight, the money invested has not paid dividends as yet.

"What the owner has done in the last 12 months is nothing short of incredible. It's fantastic support," Bruce said.

"We all in football want an owner and a chairman like I have got, and it's not been easy for any of us.

"But when you are in it and you are in a bad run, that's when you need the support of your owner and your chairman and I have to say, the pair of them have been fantastic.

"I have to give them something, and especially the owner. What he has done for this club in the short period of time he has been here is fantastic.

"He does everything properly. He doesn't go shouting and bawling in the newspapers, and fair play to him."

Having started the campaign in excellent form, Sunderland's fall from grace has been spectacular.

Drought

Not since they beat Arsenal back in November have they celebrated a league victory, but Bruce is confident of an upturn in form, starting against Bolton.

"We must try to get to 38, 40 points - that way, then you will be safe, I am pretty convinced about that," he added.

"This season has been unbelievable, but usually, it's enough. Last year, 35 was enough, but this year, I am looking at 38 hopefully being enough.

"If somebody had told be we wouldn't win a game in winter, I would have said they were crazy, but that's where we find ourselves.

"We had the best start in 35 years, and we haven't won a game for three months.

"That's there for everybody to see, but it's how we keep responding.

"You can just lie down and go away, or you can keep trying to do what you believe in and I am still convinced we can be okay."