Wigan boss backs Keane
Sunderland may have let themselves down with Saturday's FA Cup exit.
But victorious Wigan boss Steve Bruce insists that one thing that can be taken for granted is that they will fight all the way to preserve their Premier League status.
Top sport stories...
- Sunderland set to sign Fortune.
- Keane takes blame for FA Cup defeat.
- Nosworthy gutted by cup exit.
- Latest transfer rumours.
- Latest Premier League video highlights.
The sides are both embroiled in the fight to escape relegation – and meet again in a potentially massive showdown at the Stadium of Light on February 9.
Bruce said: "Roy's team will epitomise him – they won't give it up this season, that's for sure.
"He's done a terrific job and success has happened so quickly – no-one thought he would achieve what he achieved last year.
"But when you come into the Premiership from the Championship it's a big struggle – teams have got years on you, teams have got all that finance and establishment behind them, so it's very difficult.
"But he'll do well, I'm sure.
"He didn't lose many games last year, but he'll have get used to it this season.
"No disrespect to clubs like Sunderland and Wigan and the rest of the teams in the bottom half of the table, but you're going to have to get used to losing quite a few in this division.
"It's only the top four in the Premier League who don't lose many."
Of the cup victory, he said: "The big decisions went our way – I could hear Sunderland's bench shouting 'pick up Scharner' before the free-kick went in, but someone switched off and we benefited.
"The second goal was that bit of luck that you need and the third goal was a piece of individual brilliance.
"It was very pleasing to come to a big Premier League team and win – it was very nice.
"We both know that the Premier League is the huge, huge thing for both clubs.
"But when you win it always breeds a little bit of confidence and it gives the fringe lads a boost and it's made me think I might have players waiting in the wings."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
