So bruce wants to finish above the mags.........
So do we steve, so do we, and with the games left there is no reason why we shouldn't...
STEVE Bruce today challenged his Sunderland side to finish above arch-rivals Newcastle United and secure a top 10 finish in the process.
Sunderland guaranteed Premier League survival at Bolton Wanderers last weekend, but Bruce insists the Black Cats still have plenty to play for in their final two games against relegation candidates Wolves and West Ham.
Bruceââ¬â¢s target throughout the season has been to secure a first top half Premier League finish in a decade and Sunderland lie just a point behind 10th-placed Fulham heading into Saturdayââ¬â¢s visit of Wolves (12.45pm kick-off).
But with only goal difference separating Sunderland from Newcastle, bragging rights are also up for grabs as the Black Cats look to take the title of North East top dogs for a third successive season.
ââ¬ÅAfter winning at Bolton, a top 10 place is still there for us to aim at,ââ¬Â said Bruce (pictured).
ââ¬ÅEven though we are now safe, thereââ¬â¢s a lot riding on the run-in for us.
ââ¬ÅFirstly, we want to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season and finish in the top 10.
ââ¬ÅBut, also, we want to finish above the side up the road, Newcastle.
ââ¬ÅThis is a great opportunity for us to do that. Thereââ¬â¢s only goal difference between us and weââ¬â¢ve both got two games to go.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s up to us, so letââ¬â¢s see if we can do it.ââ¬Â
Sunderland head into Saturday lunchtimeââ¬â¢s game buoyed by two wins in three games.
But they face a Wolves side who took a giant step towards Premier League safety by beating local rivals West Brom last weekend to move a point clear of the bottom three.
If ex-Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy can secure only a third away success of the season, then it may be enough for Wolves to survive.
Bruce said: ââ¬ÅThereââ¬â¢s a lot riding on this game for Wolves in terms of them fighting against relegation and the fact that there is some added spice to it because Mick McCarthy will be back at the Stadium of Light.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s always an occasion when a manager comes up against his former club.
ââ¬ÅBut we canââ¬â¢t let that distract us from achieving our own targets.
ââ¬ÅOur travelling fans were magnificent at Bolton and weââ¬â¢ll have a big crowd behind us on Saturday so letââ¬â¢s produce the same kind of performance we managed at the Reebok.
ââ¬ÅIf we do that, weââ¬â¢ve got an excellent chance.ââ¬Â
* Striker Kevin Doyleââ¬â¢s return to full fitness means Wolves are almost at full strength for Saturday, with only David Edwards and Ronald Zubar definitely missing.
So do we steve, so do we, and with the games left there is no reason why we shouldn't...
STEVE Bruce today challenged his Sunderland side to finish above arch-rivals Newcastle United and secure a top 10 finish in the process.
Sunderland guaranteed Premier League survival at Bolton Wanderers last weekend, but Bruce insists the Black Cats still have plenty to play for in their final two games against relegation candidates Wolves and West Ham.
Bruceââ¬â¢s target throughout the season has been to secure a first top half Premier League finish in a decade and Sunderland lie just a point behind 10th-placed Fulham heading into Saturdayââ¬â¢s visit of Wolves (12.45pm kick-off).
But with only goal difference separating Sunderland from Newcastle, bragging rights are also up for grabs as the Black Cats look to take the title of North East top dogs for a third successive season.
ââ¬ÅAfter winning at Bolton, a top 10 place is still there for us to aim at,ââ¬Â said Bruce (pictured).
ââ¬ÅEven though we are now safe, thereââ¬â¢s a lot riding on the run-in for us.
ââ¬ÅFirstly, we want to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season and finish in the top 10.
ââ¬ÅBut, also, we want to finish above the side up the road, Newcastle.
ââ¬ÅThis is a great opportunity for us to do that. Thereââ¬â¢s only goal difference between us and weââ¬â¢ve both got two games to go.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s up to us, so letââ¬â¢s see if we can do it.ââ¬Â
Sunderland head into Saturday lunchtimeââ¬â¢s game buoyed by two wins in three games.
But they face a Wolves side who took a giant step towards Premier League safety by beating local rivals West Brom last weekend to move a point clear of the bottom three.
If ex-Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy can secure only a third away success of the season, then it may be enough for Wolves to survive.
Bruce said: ââ¬ÅThereââ¬â¢s a lot riding on this game for Wolves in terms of them fighting against relegation and the fact that there is some added spice to it because Mick McCarthy will be back at the Stadium of Light.
ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s always an occasion when a manager comes up against his former club.
ââ¬ÅBut we canââ¬â¢t let that distract us from achieving our own targets.
ââ¬ÅOur travelling fans were magnificent at Bolton and weââ¬â¢ll have a big crowd behind us on Saturday so letââ¬â¢s produce the same kind of performance we managed at the Reebok.
ââ¬ÅIf we do that, weââ¬â¢ve got an excellent chance.ââ¬Â
* Striker Kevin Doyleââ¬â¢s return to full fitness means Wolves are almost at full strength for Saturday, with only David Edwards and Ronald Zubar definitely missing.
wanting to finish ahead of a newly promoted team. I feel for you. Aim higher!