Showing posts with label Sunderland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunderland. Show all posts

Monday, 6 December 2010

Henderson full of energy

Jordan Henderson hopes his match-winning display on Sunday proves he does not need to be rested.
The highly-rated midfielder grabbed the all-important winner for Sunderland over the weekend in their home date with struggling West Ham.
His well-taken effort midway through the first half settled the tie and helped Sunderland into seventh place in the Premier League.
There had been doubts as to whether Henderson would even figure against the Hammers, with Black Cats boss Steve Bruce hinting that the 20-year-old may need a break.
Henderson has starred for Sunderland so far this season, earning England recognition along the way, but he insists a heavy workload for club and country has not left him drained.
He told the Sunderland Echo: "I'm feeling fine. There was the possibility that I might not have been playing, but I made sure in training that I would be.
"I knuckled down because I wanted to play and go out there to show people I'm not tired."
Henderson's winner at the Stadium of Light was his first goal in a year and he admits that he must now look to build on that effort and become a more complete performer.
"It's brilliant to get the goal," he said. "I want to kick on now and see if I can get a few more.
"I need to score a lot more goals and get on the end of a few more chances as well. Hopefully I can do that now for the rest of the season.
"It's been playing on my mind for a while now. I need to step up to the mark and score goals."
Fulham v Sunderland. Click here to bet.
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Bruce sets sights on top 10

Manager Steve Bruce has called on Sunderland to maintain the momentum from their latest win and pursue a top-10 finish.
The Black Cats climbed up to seventh in the Premier League table on Sunday when they secured a 1-0 home triumph over struggling West Ham, taking their tally to 23 points from 16 games this season.
And Bruce wants a similar return from their next 16 encounters as he looks to guide his side to a top-10 finish for the first time since they returned to the top flight four years ago.
"Nothing has changed since I came here 18 months ago. We are seventh going into the Christmas period," said Bruce.
"I have always said, we have got to stop being a yo-yo club - that was my immediate aim - and if we can get ourselves into the top 10...
"Our immediate aim is to go and mirror what we have just done, take 20-odd points from the next 16 games, and that would set us up very nicely for what should be a nice spring."
The Black Cats, who triumphed against the Hammers thanks to England international Jordan Henderson's first goal of the season, remain unbeaten at the Stadium of Light in the league this term.
And Bruce feels central defender John Mensah, who once again played nursing a dislocated shoulder on Sunday, deserves much of the credit for maintaining that record.
"To play like he did again and to put himself on the line with his shoulder is quite remarkable really," he added.
"There are only special players like him can do it. He is playing with a protective harness, but still when he goes over and he gets a bash on it, he is in pain."
Fulham 5/4, Draw 9/4, Sunderland 9/4
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Gera ready for 'massive' game

Zoltan Gera admits Fulham's home date with Sunderland on Saturday has become a 'massive' fixture.
The Cottagers, following a bright opening to the season, have crashed into relegation trouble over recent weeks.
A six-match winless run has seen them tumble out of the top half of the table and into a basement battle.
They now sit just one place above the drop zone, with only goal difference keeping their head above water.
Just two wins all season tells its own story for Mark Hughes' men, with nine draws in 16 outings having held them back.
It is now imperative that they return to winning ways as quickly as possible and Hungarian playmaker Gera is hoping a welcome morale boost can be secured against the Black Cats.
He believes Fulham's showing in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Arsenal has given them cause for optimism and feels if they play like that again next time out they will be fine.
"We have to build on this performance and, if we keep playing like we did today, we will start to pick up more points," said Gera.
"We were unlucky but Samir Nasri scored two fantastic goals. We created chances and were aggressive.
"The Sunderland game is massive for us, especially as we are at home. We need the three points.
"Hopefully we will play well like we did against Arsenal."
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Sunderland seal Hammers win

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Sunderland snatched all three points at the Stadium of Light thanks to Jordan Henderson's first goal of the season, which sent West Ham back to the foot of the table.
The Black Cats struck decisively on a cold afternoon on Wearside in the 34th minute thanks to a well-worked team goal.
Nedum Onuoha lifted the ball into the channel for Asamoah Gyan, whose reverse pass found the run of 20-year-old England international Henderson, who slotted his left-foot shot past Robert Green.
Just minutes after the opening goal, Gyan clipped the top of the crossbar with a cross-cum-shot.
And, towards the end of the half, Craig Gordon was relieved to see Jonathan Spector shoot just wide after a surging run towards goal.
Besides the goal, the main talking point arrived six minutes into the contest when Luis Boa Morte was lucky not to see a straight red card for a late two-footed tackle on Kieran Richardson.
Victor Obinna came closest to snatching a point with a late effort which struck the outside of the post, but the Black Cats were good value for a victory which left them in seventh place.
The Hammers are still looking for their first away win since the opening game of last season when they defeated Wolves.
Manager Steve Bruce has spent much of the season to date pleading with his midfielders to help out strikers Darren Bent and Gyan on the goals front, and Henderson's contribution will have been as welcome to him as it was to the bulk of a crowd of 36,940 on a bitterly cold Wearside afternoon.
The Hammers arrived on Wearside still basking in the glory of their midweek Carling Cup demolition of Manchester United, but knowing the revival they launched in the league with last weekend's 3-1 win over Wigan was the overwhelming priority.
Avram Grant's men had climbed from the foot of the table without kicking a ball as a result of Wolves' defeat at Blackburn 24 hours earlier, and as the only side to have won at the Stadium of Light this season - a 2-1 Carling Cup success in September - they had high hopes of extending a run of six games which had brought just one defeat.
However, that home record has been jealously guarded by Bruce's men and, having lost just their third league game of the campaign at Wolves last Saturday, they were determined to improve it further.
The hosts started the game in far brighter fashion, and their cause might have been helped had referee Martin Atkinson ruled that Boa Morte's two-footed sixth-minute challenge on Richardson was worthy of a red rather than a yellow card.
Skipper Lee Cattermole forced the first save of the game from Green with a long-range 15th-minute effort which skidded trickily off the turf in front of the keeper, although opposite number Gordon had to get his positioning right to claim Obinna's free-kick seven minutes later.
But as the first half wore on, Sunderland started to threaten on a more regular basis and, after Bent had warmed Green's hands with a dipping long-range shot, they forced their way ahead 11 minutes before the break.
Record signing Gyan, back in the starting line-up in place of Bolo Zenden, found space down the right before squaring for Henderson to guide the ball deftly past Green.
Gyan clipped the bar with a curling shot two minutes later, but the Hammers might have got themselves back on to level terms with 44 minutes gone.
Midfielder Spector, who scored twice against United, embarked upon a surging run which took him deep into the Sunderland penalty area, but he lost his balance as he shot under pressure from Anton Ferdinand and stabbed his effort just wide.
The Hammers returned in determined mood and might have wiped out Sunderland's lead within four minutes.
John Mensah slipped as Carlton Cole turned on Obinna's pass and drilled a left-foot shot across Gordon, but unfortunately for him, just wide of the far post.
The visitors were enjoying their most dominant period of the game, but despite Sunderland's carelessness in possession, were finding clear-cut chances at a premium.
Gyan spooned a 57th-minute effort high over the crossbar as he failed to make the most of Richardson's lay-off, but as Kieron Dyer started to make his presence felt, the impetus was very much with the Hammers.
Richardson forced a 64th-minute save from Green, who had to be at his best to turn away Gyan's stinging drive two minutes later, but the Hammers might have snatched a point with 11 minutes remaining.
Obinna picked up possession inside the box and blasted towards Gordon's bottom right-hand corner, only to see the ball clip the outside of the post and drop to safety.
However, Sunderland should have killed off the Hammers once and for all with five minutes remaining.
Substitute Steed Malbranque went into a 50-50 with Green and saw the ball come back off the keeper and fall to Welbeck, only for James Tomkins to get in a vital block as the fans behind the goal waited for the net to bulge.
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Friday, 26 November 2010

Bruce may take Mensah gamble

Steve Bruce is prepared to gamble on John Mensah's fitness as he looks to address a defensive dilemma.
The Sunderland boss finds himself down to the bare bones when it comes to centre-halves, having endured a torrid week on the injury front.
The Black Cats revealed on Thursday that first-choice pairing Titus Bramble and Michael Turner are both set for prolonged spells on the sidelines after picking up knocks.
That has left Bruce facing something of a selection quandary ahead of a trip to Wolves on Saturday.
He is aware that he needs to have some experience at the heart of his back four and admits he may throw injury-ravaged Mensah into action at Molineux, even though the Ghanaian has only recently recovered from a dislocated shoulder.
Bruce said: "It would be a big gamble. It's a gamble, but with his ability, if he can do it, I am prepared to make that gamble - if he can do it.
"He trained today with it - in pain, I have to say - but he wants to try to give it a go, so a lot will depend on him.
"It's typical of him, he comes in and wants to train, which is probably three weeks quicker than he should be.
"But he wants to give it a go, so let's hope the specialists are right. They don't think by him training on it he can do any more damage, that's the most important thing.
"But it is sore, as you can imagine. John trained this morning and came through it and if he comes through tomorrow, then it will be his call."
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Turner blow rocks Bruce

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Sunderland defender Michael Turner is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering damaged knee ligaments.
The loss of Turner is another major blow to Black Cats boss Steve Bruce, who discovered earlier on Thursday that Titus Bramble is out for up to six weeks.
That will leave the reeling Wearside boss without both of his first-choice central defenders until well into the New Year.
Former Hull City defender Turner sustained his injury when he collided with a post during Monday night's 2-2 Premier League draw with Everton at the Stadium of Light.
The 27-year-old is to undergo a further examination to discover the full extent of the problem, but Bruce is already resigned to being without another key member of his squad for an extended period.
Bruce told the club's official website: "It's horrible news. Michael whacked his knee against the post on Monday and damaged knee ligaments.
"He will see a specialist today. I believe it could be months rather than weeks, and that's a big blow to us.
"I hope the ones who come in can do the job which they've been doing. They'll be a big act to follow."
Wolves v Sunderland 1st Goalscorer: Bent, D. 9/2
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Thursday, 25 November 2010

Campbell - Only way is up

Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell is thinking positively as he battles back from a cruciate ligament injury.
The 23-year-old has been on the sidelines since sustaining the injury in the win over Manchester City in August.
The former Manchester United player admits being told the extent of the damage left him at the lowest ebb of his career - but he is determined to push on and not feel sorry for himself.
He told the club's official website: "When I went home after the game it didn't feel too bad. The scan wasn't too bad, either.
"But when I had it the doctor said I would be out for six months and it really hit me that night.
"That was probably the lowest point of my career but I just had to sweep it under the carpet and get on with it. You don't get better by dwelling on things."
The striker is working hard on his recovery and wants to come back quicker and stronger than before.
"Things are going okay," he added.
"I'm making slow steps towards my goal. An injury like this sometimes makes me sit back and realise how much I love going out there and playing football.
"That's especially true of big games like the one at Chelsea recently. It makes me want to come back quicker and stronger than I was before.
"I was kicking every ball at home (watching the game against the Blues), running round and celebrating every goal. In general though, I try to tone things down when I'm watching with the family.
"We have a great medical team here (at the club) and they have been fantastic with me. The time is flying by. The first couple of months are the hardest and I've found them comparatively easy, so I think things are going really well."
Wolves v Sunderland Hat Trick: Gyan, A. 40/1
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Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Welbeck quiet on future

Sunderland loan star Danny Welbeck is refusing to make a decision on his future after Steve Bruce confirmed his desire to sign him on a permanent basis.
The Manchester United starlet is on a season-long deal at the Stadium of Light and he has impressed in recent games.
Black Cats boss Bruce has wasted little time in declaring his ambition to sign the England Under 21 international on a permanent basis.
Bu 19-year-old Welbeck admits he has not considered his future just yet, saying: "I've seen what Steve Bruce has said and I need to make a decision on my future.
"For now, I'm looking short term. I just want to do my best in every game and I'm not thinking about whether I go back to United.
"My aim was to come here and get minutes on the pitch.
"At United, I was getting the odd chance here and there but I was never ready to take them.
"I'd miss loads of games and then I'd be thrown in and would struggle to do myself justice.
"It's different here. I'm playing every game and I'm getting better and better. You can see I am benefiting from it.
"I'm confident and I'm really enjoying my football."
Welbeck has spent most of his time on Wearside playing on the wing, but he was given the chance to play through the middle against Everton on Monday and scored twice.
And he was delighted to show what he could do, adding: "We've relied too heavily on Bent and Gyan, so it's nice to finally contribute.
"It's taken me a bit of time but that's three in two and I've got to be happy with that.
"We're a great, hungry, young team who just want to go as far in the game as we can.
"The manager has had a massive influence on me. He's shown a lot of faith and I owe him a lot of thanks.
"I'm learning my trade. I'm still developing. This experience is good for me and can only help."
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Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Cats brought back to earth

Man of the match: The gong goes to Danny Welbeck for a tireless display culminating in a fantastic brace for the Black Cats. The young striker came close to a hat-trick on several occasions as he continually shook up the Everton defence.
Miss of the match: Jermaine Beckford had only goalkeeper Craig Gordon to beat in the dying seconds of stoppage-time but somehow managed to blaze his effort over the crossbar. Absolute howler.
Clearance of the match: Michael Turner decided nothing, not even a goal post, was going to stop him clearing a Tim Cahill effort in the 55th minute. The ball looked to be inching inside the near post until the stopper fearlessly threw himself in the way, colliding with the woodwork and prompting the medics to make a brief appearance.
Goal of the match: All four goals were contenders, but Cahill snatches it after a devastatingly accurate cross from Leighton Baines was converted by the Australian's cool and clinical header.
Talking point: The Black Cats have now suffered just one defeat in 12 league games, can they compete at the top this season? Everton keep putting in the performances but missing out on the crucial points, where can they expect to finish?
Sunderland were unable to emulate their Chelsea triumph as Everton held them to a 2-2 home draw on Monday evening.
Steve Bruce's men entered the encounter fresh from their shock 3-0 victory over the Premier League leaders last weekend, but were denied another three-point haul as the Toffees produced a battling display.
An action-packed clash at the Stadium of Light saw both sides create plenty of chances, but they were ultimately forced to share the spoils as neither team could find a last-gasp winner.
The Black Cats looked on course for a win after coming from behind to lead 2-1 thanks to a superb brace from Danny Welbeck.
But Mikel Arteta secured the Toffees a crucial point as his deflected finish seven minutes from time complemented Tim Cahill's sixth-minute opener before Everton substitute Jermaine Beckford missed a glorious opportunity in the dying moments of stoppage-time.
Sunderland have now played every one of last season's top 10 and lost to none of them with only promoted West Brom and Newcastle having collected all three points against them.
In the most unpredictable of starts to the new Premier League season, there was an inevitability about how things would unfold at the Stadium of Light this evening.
The Black Cats returned to home territory still flushed by the euphoria of their stunning 3-0 win at Chelsea last time out and ready to repeat the dose.
Manager Steve Bruce had warned in his programme notes that their heroics in West London would count for little if they did not repeat them tonight, and right on cue, Cahill proved their nemesis, in the short term at least, once again.
The game was only six minutes old when the Australian managed to find enough space inside the Sunderland penalty area to meet Leighton Baines' inviting cross with a firm downward header to make the most of the full-back's neat interchange with Steven Pienaar down the left.
That link-up proved to be the main avenue to goal for the Toffees as Baines and Pienaar caused problems for opposite numbers Nedum Onuoha and Bolo Zenden.
However, the Dutchman turned the tables with 23 minutes gone to pave the way for his side's equaliser.
He skipped away from South Africa international Pienaar on the touchline and deftly manoeuvred his way past Baines to fire a low cross to the near post where Welbeck, who scored his first goal for the club at Stamford Bridge, eagerly slammed the ball home.
Kieran Richardson stabbed a 27th-minute effort just wide with his weaker right foot as Sunderland threatened to make the pressure tell.
But with Everton's left flank continuing to cause problems and Seamus Coleman starting to test Phil Bardsley on the right, the visitors gradually established a foothold once again, and they might have regained the lead 12 minutes before the break.
Cahill timed his run to perfection to meet Baines' corner and head towards goal.
Henderson blocked his effort at the near post, but the ball ran across goal and Lee Cattermole, stationed on the far post, had to scramble it away before the blue shirts could pounce with defender Sylvain Distin eventually firing high over the bar.
The visitors finished the half strongly, but Welbeck headed just over at the death as play switched swiftly from end to end.
Sunderland returned in determined mood and repeatedly put the Everton goal under threat in the opening five minutes of the second half.
Tim Howard had to get down well to keep out Welbeck's curling effort, but he needed the help of first Phil Jagielka and then Arteta to deny Cattermole and Zenden respectively.
But it was Cahill who almost did the damage once again with 55 minutes gone when he was allowed to run on to Phil Neville's ball over the top and lob the advancing Gordon.
The ball looked to be creeping inside the near post until Michael Turner launched himself into a desperate clearance which left him needing treatment.
Everton sensed an opportunity as the home side became increasingly careless in possession, they surged forward in wave after wave.
Bruce introduced Steed Malbranque as a 69th-minute replacement for Zenden, but it was Welbeck who made the breakthrough two minutes later.
Jagielka did well to get a block on Darren Bent's shot to concede a corner and when Richardson crossed at the second time of asking, the teenager looped a header over Howard and into the net.
But with time running down, Everton fought their way back into it when the unfortunate Bardsley deflected Arteta's shot past keeper Gordon.
Welbeck dragged a close-range effort wide deep into injury-time, but Beckford perhaps should have won it with virtually the last kick of the game when he ran on to Jagielka's clearance but fired wastefully over with just Gordon to beat.
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Bruce has Everton aspiration

Steve Bruce wants Sunderland to aspire to be like Everton after admitting a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light was a fair result.
Danny Welbeck's brace enabled Sunderland to come from behind to lead 2-1 until Mikel Arteta's deflected strike on 83 minutes earned Everton a point.
The result keeps the Black Cats seventh in the Premier League table and Bruce is pleased with his team's start to the campaign.
After hovering at the lower end of the standings at one stage last season, Bruce has set Sunderland the target of becoming an established top-flight club, like Monday's opponents.
"We had a good start last year, but we had a really difficult winter," Bruce told Sky Sports.
"We have got off to a decent start and the lads who have come in, like Danny Welbeck, I could go round a few who have come in and added to the squad and played particularly well.
"We're improving and it's going to take time. We've got to aspire to be somebody like Everton, who have been in the Premier League since year dot.
"I can see signs that we're improving and going forward."
Sunderland fell behind to Tim Cahill's early header and Bruce was satisfied to come away from the game with a point.
He said: "We started off slowly, that's for sure. I think Everton are one of the better teams in the Premier League and to get off to an awful start like we did put us on the back foot.
"We responded and, overall, I would have taken 2-2, but we're a bit aggrieved that we conceded too late.
"All in all, I think a draw was a pretty fair result."
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Welbeck - We deserved more

Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck admits it was frustrating not to take the full three points after being held to a 2-2 draw by Everton on Monday night.
The 19-year-old, on loan at the Stadium of Light from Manchester United, netted a superb brace for the Black Cats in response to an early opener from Toffees midfielder Tim Cahill.
But Mikel Arteta denied Sunderland a win as he fired home a deflected equaliser in the 83rd minute, and man-of-the-match Welbeck admits the final result was disappointing.
"We're pretty disappointed not to get the three points, considering we went in front," Welbeck told Sky Sports HD1.
"But I think they played really well and we did well to keep it at 2-2.
"It's a team game and we're all just looking to get three points in every game we go into.
"So it was a bit disappointing to not get the three today but we'll take it as a positive and move on."
Team-mate Lee Cattermole agrees it was unfortunate to concede so late in the game after establishing the advantage.
"It was a game we felt like we could win, being at home and we've got a good record," said Cattermole.
"To go in front and then concede in the 83rd minute is a bit disappointing but it's a point at the end of the day and you move on to next week."
The Black Cats are now unbeaten in three games following their 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle last month, with that result marking their only defeat in their last 12 encounters.
Steve Bruce's men also recorded a shock 3-0 victory over leaders Chelsea last weekend, and Cattermole tributes their Toon wake-up call for their recent form.
"I think at the time it pulled us all together," he said. "It was a tough week for the club, it got built up and built up all week but it wasn't to be on the day.
"I think it was the worst we've played this season but we've played three more games since without getting beaten."
Cattermole feels Sunderland can be serious contenders for a top-six finish if they carry on playing in the same manner.
He added: "I think we've got to have the belief. To go that long, one defeat in 12, I think it shows we're a good team.
"We've got a lot of belief in the dressing room. It's a good team, we're pulling together well and we just need to keep going week by week."
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Bramble worry for Black Cats

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce fears Titus Bramble may require surgery after the defender picked up a knee injury.
Bramble has been an impressive performer for the Black Cats this season after joining from Bruce's former club Wigan Athletic in the summer.
However, he was forced to miss Monday's Premier League game with Everton and was replaced for the 2-2 draw by Anton Ferdinand.
The 29-year-old has suffered a meniscus problem and Bruce is waiting to learn if the centre-half requires an operation.
"Titus has nicked the meniscus in his knee and may need an operation," Bruce told the club's official website.
Asamoah Gyan also sat out the Everton encounter after the striker hurt his thigh on international duty with Ghana last week.
Bruce added: "Asamoah picked up a thigh injury playing for Ghana."
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Cats expect Welbeck fight

Sunderland assistant manager Eric Black has admitted it could be difficult to hold on to Danny Welbeck.
The teenage striker moved to the Stadium of Light from Manchester United over the summer on a season-long loan deal.
He had to wait until last week's victory over Chelsea for his first goal for the Black Cats, but was so impressive at Stamford Bridge and again against Everton on Monday that his future is already the subject of speculation.
Welbeck scored a brace in the 2-2 draw with the Toffees and Black knows the club's hopes of signing him on a permanent basis could be dashed if he remains on the goal trail.
"That's the problem you have to face. If we can concentrate on the first bit and he can be exceptional for us this year and score 15 goals, we will deal with the other bit when it comes," said Black.
"But first and foremost, we need to have the problem."
Black is excited about the youngster's potential and feels he can go from strength to strength at Sunderland, where is playing far more regularly than at Manchester United.
"He is an exceptionally good player. I see him every day in training and he has got fantastic ability," said Black.
"He has now got the confidence. Probably what has stunted his development is he has not been able to play regular football week in, week out.
"He is now getting that opportunity and he has grasped it. He has got phenomenal potential - that's probably why he is at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"But hopefully he is flourishing here and hopefully we can hang on to him for as long as possible."
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Friday, 19 November 2010

Bent staying grounded

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Darren Bent feels Sunderland are capable of pushing for a top-six finish, provided they remain focused.
The Black Cats have clambered into the European places on the back of a consistent start to the 2010/11 campaign.
They may have been mauled 5-1 by local rivals Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby, but that defeat is one of just two they have suffered this season.
That is less than Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, suggesting Steve Bruce has moulded Sunderland into a resolute outfit.
A 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge last weekend proved they need to be taken seriously, with that success helping to lift the North East club into sixth place in the Premier League table.
Bent was unavailable for the Chelsea game as he continued to nurse a hamstring problem, but is closing in on full fitness again and could be back for Monday's meeting with Everton.
The England international is hoping to help fire the Black Cats into continental competition, but admits it is important that the club do not get ideas above their station too early in the season.
"We aren't going to get carried away," he told Sky Sports News.
"I'm sure people will start saying that we should be aiming for Europe. We are just taking things one game at a time and if we can get in a position to do that at the end of the season, we will be delighted."
The busy festive period can often make or break a season and Bent admits Sunderland's European ambitions could rest their ability to make it into the New Year unscathed.
"Especially after the start we have had, we have had some tough games in this first period," he added.
"This is the period that we let ourselves down last season but if we can get ourselves out of it, I'm sure we will be fine."
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Wednesday, 17 November 2010

Bruce vows to keep Henderson

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has vowed to fight to keep England new boy Jordan Henderson at the Stadium of Light.
Henderson is set to be handed his Three Lions debut against France on Wednesday night after catching the eye of Fabio Capello.
The 20-year-old is regarded as one of the best young players in the country and the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for Henderson.
Bruce accepts he faces a battle to ward off interest in the youngster, but he insists he will not be sold for anything less than £25million if they were to consider offers for the player.
"It is wonderful that Jordan is playing for England - he deserves it," Bruce told the Daily Express. "Make no mistake - he is that good.
"Everything about him is right. He is full of endeavour, young, hungry and the archetypal modern-day footballer - 6ft 2in and yet a marvellous athlete. He is also a level-headed kid, which makes him a pleasure to work with.
"Put all these qualities together and he is courted by all the top clubs.
"It is my problem and, now he is also playing for England, it is going to be so hard to keep him at Sunderland, but I will try. It will be a fight, though.
"Why would you want to sell him for anything less than £25million?"
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Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Cattermole - We believed

Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has revealed their game plan prior to their victory over Chelsea.
The Black Cats skipper was a key figure in their shock 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge at the weekend.
And Cattermole feels it came about because Sunderland went into the game believing they could beat the Premier League champions.
"We said before the game we couldn't sit back and let Chelsea get comfortable on the ball," said Cattermole.
"We wanted to get right in their faces and make it hard for them straight from the kick-off.
"We went there full of belief and carried out exactly what we wanted to do. It was amazing."
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Henderson remains grounded

Jordan Henderson is determined not to do anything which could put his promising career at risk following his first call-up by England.
The Sunderland youngster is hoping to make his debut for Fabio Capello's side on Wednesday against France after an impressive start to the season.
The midfielder is one of the most highly-rated players in the Premier League and has already been linked with some of the division's biggest clubs.
He is anxious to avoid getting carried away by his rise to prominence and the 20-year-old outlined the steps he takes to ensure he can enjoy a successful career.
"The main thing is I am just loving my football at the minute and just want to continue doing that," said Henderson.
"My mum and dad have been a good influence on me.
"They have brought me up really well, have always kept my feet on the ground and not let me get carried away.
"I just love playing football and I don't want anything to jeopardise that.
"I like to go in every day training and working hard. I don't drink or smoke.
"A good night for me is watching the highlights of the Chelsea game. That's me. I never go out.
"The only time I go out is Christmas night when the whole team goes out for team bonding and stuff like that. But I still won't drink or anything.
"I like music and a few of the Sunderland lads play table tennis at the academy, but that's about it. I go training and go home."
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Sunday, 14 November 2010

Bruce - Fergie wants Henderson

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has confirmed that Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken with him about Jordan Henderson.
Manchester United and Manchester City are both thought to be keen on the highly-rated midfielder - who has just been handed his maiden call-up to the England squad.
The 20-year-old has been in excellent form for Sunderland over the last 12-months which has not only propelled him into the international scene, but has also seen him linked with a big money move.
And now Bruce has admitted that Ferguson has asked to be 'kept informed' over Henderson.
"Only once has Fergie talked about one of my players, and that was [Antonio] Valencia, and bugger me he bought him!" joked Bruce in the News of the World.
"He had spoken to me about him. 'Keep me informed' were his words, then he signed him.
"He has said the same about Jordan, but to be fair they have all asked to be kept informed.
"What has caught most of their eyes is his ability to get up and down the pitch now is huge. You looked at Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Cesc Fabregas, they are all great players but they can get up and down the pitch to get the mileage, and you need that in the modern game.
"He has caught the eye because he is a very good player. If you are Chelsea, Manchester United, or Liverpool, there is a 20-year-old who is playing in the Premier League week in, week out. There are not many you can look at.
"He is a Sunderland player, and a Sunderland lad and we will do our utmost to keep him but we can never stop speculation.
"He has huge respect for this football club and he will do the right thing. Jordan has a good grounding."
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Saturday, 13 November 2010

Partizan keen to keep Savic

Sought-after defender Stefan Savic is not for sale, according to Partizan Belgrade general manager Darko Gruber.
The 19-year-old starlet has recently been linked with a move away from the Serbian club, with Arsenal and Sunderland apparently tracking the youngster.
However, Gruber insists Montenegro international Savic, who is also understood to be on the radar of Serie A clubs Lazio and Roma, will not be going anywhere in the January transfer window.
"I don't care what is written in the newspapers, the only truth is that we are not talking to anybody," Gruber told Belgrade-based newspaper Vecernje Novosti.
"Savic only came to our club this summer and as things stand there is no way we will let him go.
"We don't want to sell our players, we are just thinking about the league and competing.
"There are no talks about someone leaving Partizan, and that goes for Savic too."
Young stopper Savic has reiterated Gruber's stance, insisting he is more than happy to remain in Belgrade.
"My first wish is to build a career in a Partizan shirt," said Savic. "I want to win trophies and leave my mark.
"And only then, when the time is right, will I be ready to move into one of the best leagues in Europe."
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Friday, 12 November 2010

Fresh setback for Lampard

 Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has been ruled out for a further three weeks after suffering a new injury in training.
Lampard has not played for the Premier League champions since the end of August after undergoing a hernia operation.
He was working towards a first-team comeback against Sunderland on Sunday, but his return has been delayed after picking up a fresh muscle problem.
The 32-year-old damaged his adductor muscle near the groin area towards the end of Friday's training session and he faces up to another three weeks on the sidelines.
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