Steve Bruce suffering worst run of form ever

Feb 8 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

STEVE Bruce admits Sunderland's current form is "unsustainable" as he challenged his players to show the mental strength to get the club out of a relegation fight.

Another difficult afternoon for the Black Cats saw them toil for a point against struggling Wigan and lose outstanding performer Jordan Henderson to an ankle ligament injury that is likely to rule him out until April.

It was hardly the sort of performance that Bruce was looking for ahead of another must-win game at Portsmouth tomorrow, and he admits that this is the worst run of form he has ever experienced as a manager.

“We’ve got to try and turn it around, because I agree that our form is unsustainable,” he said. “We’ve got to try and do something. I’ll do my utmost. This is possibly the worst form I’ve ever experienced as a manager, but I’ll try and turn it around.

“I’m the same manager as I was at the start of the season, but we’ve got to get back fit and firing and match fit.

“I don’t like the stick, believe me, but I’m under no illusions. I knew what I was taking on, I knew it was difficult.

“There’s been many tried before me, right, and it’s a big, difficult job, but one I’m still relishing the challenge of it.

“I’m convinced we’ll turn it around, I’m convinced we’ll make it better and we’ll be okay.”