Sunderland manager Steve Bruce looking to use current Premier League plight as learning curve

Black Cats boss hopes to learn from bad spell...

9 Feb 2010 09:15:00

By Alan Dawson

More On :  Sunderland, Steve Bruce
EPL: Steve Bruce, Tottenham - Sunderland (Getty Images)

After Texan tycoon Ellis Short completed his takeover of Sunderland and Steve Bruce was granted a summer of heavy recruitment, much was expected of both the club and their manager. However, the Black Cats have - after a strong start - slid down the Premier League ladder and hit a barren spell, yet Bruce has claimed he hopes to emerge from the shoddy spell as a better manager.

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He told the Independent: "When you come through it, it makes you better because you learn from it. Nobody likes it, nobody enjoys it, you would be lying if you said you enjoyed it. But certainly you learn from it and you take it on with you.

"I have worked hard all my life and I will try to work as hard as I can to pull us around.

"I am the same one who came in six months ago, nothing has changed in that respect.

"There's no hiding place from it, we have just got to get a result, it's as simple as that."

The goals that Darren Bent has provided make the striker a near certainty for the club's Player of the Season. Bruce, though, believes Jordan Henderson deserves special commendation.

"Arguably, taking Darren Bent away from the equation, Jordan has possibly been our best performer all season."

Henderson, 19, is set to have a scan on his ankle on Thursday and could be sidelined for a month.

"For a young boy to come in in his first season, he has been terrific. He will be a big loss."

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