Sunderland looking to show steel

This week, Steve Bruce's Sunderland will be looking to build on some positive recent results and attempt to erase the horrific memory of their 5-1 mauling at the hands of their fiercest rivals, Newcastle. Since then, the Black Cats have notched up some impressive results and now find themselves in the coveted top-six positions.

Bruce has, as you might expect, built his team on solid defensive foundations, and coupled with the firepower of Asamoah Gyan, Darren Bent, and the on-loan Danny Welbeck, his side now look a far cry from the side which were turned over so convincingly back in October. Add to this the fact that Sunderland are playing at home and that the man in the Newcastle hot-seat has also changed - in the eyes of many fans and pundits, for the worse - it seems hard to imagine a similar outcome this time out.



Bragging rights have belonged to those donning black and white this season when it comes to the head-to-head battle, but of course Sunderland fans can console themselves with the fact that it is both clubs whose stock is rising. It would appear that football in the north-east is enjoying something of a resurgence, and of course it is Bruce's team that are winning the war.



With so many clubs flattering to deceive so far this campaign, they find themselves amazingly just two points behind current holders Chelsea and a massive eight points clear of fallen giants Liverpool - although it might be worth noting that the Anfield club have two games in hand over them.



Nonetheless, with their shock elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Notts County, they are clear to focus on maintaining their league form and perhaps delivering European football to a club which hasn't mixed it with their continental brethren since they competed in the Cup Winners' Cup in 1973 - nearly forty years is too long to wait for such passionate fans.



If Spurs are refusing to rule themselves out of the title race, Sunderland should have no qualms about stating their desire to play in Europe - but I'm sure three points against Newcastle would keep them happy for the time being.