Bruce badgers team for back-to-back wins

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is demanding another win from his players after they tasted victory for the first time in 10 games last Saturday.

Bruce’s men battled back for a 4-2 win over Wigan Athletic and he wants another win against Fulham on Saturday.

“We have had a terrible run but we have a great chance now to finish in the top 10,” Bruce said.

“Even with all the problems we have got we are still capable of producing a result.”

“To come from behind to score four last weekend shows we have a bit of courage and resilience. The players do care and they want to succeed.”

“The result last week has put a spring in everyone’s step. We are back on the right track and we will give the top 10 as good a shot as we can.”

Victory on Saturday would see Bruce’s men record their first back-to-back wins since January.

Fulham have pushed through a lean winter period and moved above Sunderland in the table on Wednesday with a thumping 3-0 victory over Bolton.

Bruce knows they will be a different prospect to the team Sunderland held to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage in December.

Bruce is now anticipating a close battle against the side managed by his former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes.

“All of a sudden they’ve got their players back and they are a different proposition to what they were before Christmas,” Bruce said.

“Mark’s turned them around and they have some good players. It will be a difficult game.”

“Fulham have quietly gone about their business in the Premier League for a lot of years now and have goal threats from everywhere.”

“They are a well-run, well-established Premier League club.”

Sunderland will be without defenders Titus Bramble (knee) and John Mensah (calf), midfielder Kieran Richardson (calf) and forwards Asamoah Gyan (hamstring), Ryan Noble (knee), Danny Welbeck (hamstring) and Fraizer Campbell (knee).