Apocalypse never for Bruce

Former Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has pledged that it will take an ‘apocalypse’ for Steve Bruce to lose his job.

Ellis Short, the club’s new chairman and owner, is committed to giving Bruce time to turn things around at the Black Cats according to the former Irish striker.

 Quinn, who has taken a new international development role at the club, said in the Daily Mail:  "Steve is not isolated by this, it's the exact opposite.

"It's time for him to build a closer relationship with Ellis.

"Steve will get time for this team to gel. There's another window looming. Unless the situation becomes apocalyptic, and it's no good worrying about that, Steve will get time."

Whether Bruce makes it to the window or gets flung out of it by Short is up for debate. Three of their next four games are away, including trips to Arsenal and Manchester United and needs a run of wins to pacify the fans at the Stadium of Light.

Quinn was also happy with his new role and confident that Short and Bruce can work well together.

"For the overall good of the club this is right," he said.

"I am happy, absolutely. Ellis is happy - he is speaking to the manager today. You'll find the manager will be happy tonight. Ellis will be a great chairman. The beauty of Ellis is that he has a presence. He has authority, he demands serious attention. This can be the making of Steve Bruce.

"Steve has been in a jumpy world at clubs before, where he read things in the media, but with Ellis he won't. Ellis is straightforward, a real man, no whispering.”