Bolo Zenden: Consistency is key for Cats

Nov 24 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

At the start of the season, Bruce’s objective was to ensure Sunderland were able to avoid another relegation battle, but expectations are rising both inside and outside of the camp.

“Even if you think the results have not been that good over the last few games before Arsenal, the performances were and that helps with self-belief,” added Zenden, who feels he is starting to regain match fitness despite the setback of a hamstring strain.

“We’ve got a group of players who are willing to put the effort in and we have quality. If you combine the two I’m convinced we can go places. I said that when I joined, if you look at the squad and how we are doing, we should definitely be in the top ten. To finish in the top six would be a very big achievement, top eight would be a really good finish as it would possibly bring a European spot as well. I think that is more likely than the top six for us if we look at it now, but you never know.

“Saying that, it’s still early doors. When you go into December, anything can happen because you play so many games in a short space of time.”

Although Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal once again occupy the top three spots in the Premier League, Zenden is also enjoying the fact they are no longer assured of Champions League qualification.

He said: “I’ve always kept an eye on the Premier League. Coming towards the end of the season you always see the Big Four getting into the top four spots in the table, but from six to 12, anything can happen and anything is possible. We have to be as positive as we can.

“The gap has closed a bit on the top four in the two years I’ve been away. It hasn’t changed that much, but Tottenham are doing really well and you can see the influence Manchester City have got with the money they have spent and the players they have brought in.

“You might think one of them will break into the top four this year. Liverpool did it with a lot of money, but it is a hard thing to do. We might see it this year, but it isn’t as easy as it seems.

“We’ll see towards the end of the season, it’s going to be close.”