STEVE BRUCE GETS REALITY CHECK

SUNDERLAND 1 WIGAN 1

Welcome to the real world of life as manager of ­Sunderland Football Club, Steve!

Suddenly, Steve Bruce is discovering what it was like for Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy, Howard Wilkinson, Peter Reid...

The list goes on because, like his predecessors found, with the exceptions of two seasons under Reid when the Black Cats finished seventh in the Premier League, top-flight football has been one long struggle.

When Sunderland beat Arsenal on November 21 following encouraging results against Manchester United and Liverpool, it looked as if Bruce had cracked it.

Eleven league games and no wins ­later, he finds himself confronted by so many of the problems which ­engulfed those before him.

Owner Ellis Short witnessed a first- half performance which plumbed depths rarely seen, even in their ­infamous 15-points relegation campaign five years ago.

Mohamed Diame’s stunning opener was scant reward for a Wigan side who came into the game lacking confidence only to find themselves confronted by opponents with even less self-belief.

Sunderland improved after the break with Kenwyne Jones equalising from a trademark header.

But the Black Cats have picked up just two points from home games against Stoke and Wigan and if their wretched away form continues at ­Portsmouth tomorrow night, another relegation battle beckons.

“We’ve got to try and turn it around because our form is unsustainable,” said Bruce, who fears he could be without Jordan Henderson for the rest of the season after the in-form teenager suffered a serious ankle injury.

“This is possibly the worst form I’ve ever experienced as a manager. We’re one of 10 down there, that’s for sure.

“But I’m the same manager I was at the start of the season and now we’ve got to get ourselves back fighting fit and firing.”

What will concern Bruce most is that few of his big players are performing like they did in the autumn when Sunderland were being touted as European contenders.

For 45 minutes, their one source of attack appeared to be an aimless long ball out of defence and though they were less one-dimensional on the restart, Lorik Cana’s poor form and Lee Cattermole’s lack of match fitness meant they rarely held the upper hand in midfield.

Bruce has more quality available to him than any Sunderland boss in a generation, which means the current problems have more to do with mentality.

Bruce added: “I’m under no illusions and knew what I was taking on here.

“Many have tried before me and it’s a big difficult job, but I’m still relishing the challenge.

“I’m not going to hide away from the fact that in the first half we were sadly lacking confidence and belief, but whoever comes here, both players and manager, have to handle the big expectant demand.

“Every manager I’ve spoken to says that when this club is going through a tough time, they go 20 minutes and the nervousness and edginess just seeps all around and pours out.

“I’ve seen it myself as an opposing manager. Roberto Martinez and Tony Pulis have said the same thing this week.

“Believe me, this run hurts. It hurts me, but I’ve never given up in my life and won’t be starting now. This is when you find out who’s around you.

“I’m still relishing the challenge and remain convinced we’ll make it better and we’ll be OK.”

Debutant Alan Hutton believes Sunderland’s troubles are psychological.

“Maybe heads are down a wee bit, but we can build on our second-half performance and take it from there,” said the right-back.

“But there is no doubt the players are here to stay out of trouble. We just need that one win.”

Wigan boss Martinez believes his players are well equipped to handle the months ahead.

“We have raw, talented players, which excites me, and to come to Sunderland and cope with their very direct approach shows we have a very good platform to carry on improving,’’ he said.

» MORE 'FOOTBALL' HERE...

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