Cats have done nothing yet, warns boss Bruce

Oct 22 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Bruce reckons his next big task at Sunderland is to manage expectations – after reiterating the club have achieved nothing yet.

Morale at the Stadium of Light is sky high after two stirring displays against Manchester United and Liverpool yielded a four-point haul and a renewed belief the club are on the verge of breaking back into the Premier League’s top eight.

While Bruce firmly believes the Wearsiders have made tangible progress, he is warning against expectations running too far ahead of reality.

After going toe-to-toe with two members of the so-called big four, Sunderland now face a different examination against Birmingham – a team likely to be battling it out at the bottom of the Premier League at the end of the campaign.

Bruce warns if they let their levels of determination and desire drop then they will come a cropper at St Andrew’s.

He said: "Overall we are pleased. A quarter of the season is gone and if we can match that in the second quarter of the season that will be terrific

"I think I just have to manage expectations. I can understand the club has been through a difficult time, but we are only making progress.

"I will give an example – Hull were third-top of the table this time last season after beating Arsenal and Tottenham.

"Having said that, I do believe we have made progress but it is all we have done at the moment.