Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not be happy until he can dismiss a poor performance as a blip.
The Black Cats fought back from a 2-0 deficit against West Ham at the weekend to snatch a draw and take their tally for the season to 17 points from 11 games and - while that represents a promising start for the new manager - Bruce is challenging his players to repeat it in their next 11 fixtures to pave the way for genuine progress.
He told his side's official website: "The campaign is a long one and it's not just going to happen where we turn ourselves into European contenders overnight - this club has only been two years out of the Championship. There's still a lot of work and a lot of improvement to do until we get to a point where we can say it's a blip if we play poorly."
He added: "We have got to look at it this way - can we do the same over the next 11 games? Can we pick up another 17 points?
"If we do that, we will have a decent platform for a decent season."
Saturday's recovery ensured that only Chelsea have left the Stadium of Light with all three points this season, with Blackburn, Hull, Wolves and Liverpool all having lost on Wearside.
The Black Cats succumbed on their own pitch on no fewer than 10 occasions last season, and that turn-around has pleased the manager as much as anything.
He said: "The most important thing is doing it in front of our own fans, and that's what we knew we needed to do this year.
"People were telling me the best performances last season were away from home, but now I think the fans have realised there's been an improvement and they can understand and enjoy what we are trying to do on the pitch.
"The players deserve a pat on the back because we have lost once - against Chelsea - and that's a decent return."
Comment 4 - 23 of 23
patrick.
The team are doing great despite fatty Ashleys blatant attempt to cause maximum possible disruption to the club. He has to be a mackem, has to be........
Toony, those sentiments towards the Fat One will only invoke bad Karma and negative energy man. Your team needs all the positive energy it can muster. Think positive and spread the love.
Harrods@sol
Primark@sjp
Oh com'on Tony K(nobhead) you always have something witty & intelligent to say!!??
FTM
"O SOLO MIO!"
FTM
downy100(brain cells) - the Paul Potts of the yahoo sports pages.
I have nowt to say about the name change apart from this, I sincerely hope Mike Ashley has a slow and painful end to his life.
Brilliant addition to the great name of SJP, a cheap tacky warehouse clearance store, BRILLIANT, Fat Mike is ridiculous, but he ain't half funny!!!
FTM
'Tony K(nobhead) & cameron w(anker) the John & Edward of BT Yahoo Sport pages'
FTM
ps tone
Cant stop laughing at the new name of your stadium ,sorry, I'll bet the fans are spitting blood about it , I know i would be its pathetic, now you cant take the michael out of our stadium name any further !!!!!!! This guy is definately trying to ruin your club.
So Tone
Carroll and Ranger are never gonna amount to anything ??????? cos they are just Kids but kids that are black and white to their hearts and are so proud to wear the shirts of their club!!!!! wel the same goes for our kids and belive me you would love to have some of our youth playing for your team in the league they are in!!!! Luscombe and O'donavan were on fire , a good blend of youth with a certain degree of experience will win over all
Now, now TK, stop being silly. Arsenal are way above us in terms of ability but watching MY team is my true delight. I like watching Inter Milan and Italy too. By the way, how do you like your stadium's new name? I will visit your page now.
Jojo
I bet they have won your heart, after putting up with Sunderlands inconsistent form and general mediocrity it must be nice to watch a decent football team now and then.....
I knwo, I know, they haven't actually WON owt regards pots and gongs yet but, ah, they've won my heart with their flair and style....
Never win anything with kids? Kids I'd sign tomorrow: Ramsay, Walcott, errrrr, the Arsenal team actually....
Malc
You'll never win anything with kids......
Tone
dont slip back into your old ways of using peoples surnames as a swearword.
Now then which kettle is calling the fire place on here???? mediocre, Mediocre?? me thinks you have been at the beer again.
i was at the reserves game toinght (playing Bolton Wanderers) and we won 6-1 There are some good young players conming thro the ranks of the accademy. There were about ten scouts from epl clubs and a couple from the fizzy pop league watching Both teams.
Could the answer be in the youth of the club to stem the blip ?????
True, but I wouldn't call a monkey sublime either....
Jojo
I bet you a tenner you wouldnt call Chuck Norris ridiculous to his face....
Every time i switch Sky Sports on i a see this guy's mashed in face!
Tango man Brown looks positively reclusive next to this hogger of the limelight!
Yet more bollix from the deluded one.
Patrick,
mock all you want mate; the Mighty Posh on Saturday, and YES i can't wait - i actually look forward to going to the match now, great atmospheres!
Aw COME ON Tony! What sort of picture is that? From the sublime to the ridiculous. LOL.
Good win last night even if goal was off a human beach ball...
Evening Toony. Good result in the city of steel last night. There must have been jubilant scenes reminiscent of the San Ciro.
Just think, only another ten months of sub mediocrity and you'll be back in your rightful place again flirting with relegation.
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