Wear keeping faith with the boss, insists a defiant Gordon

Feb 28 2010 by James Hunter, Sunday Sun

CRAIG GORDON admits he never imagined Sunderland would be involved in a relegation battle this season – but is backing boss Steve Bruce to get it right on Wearside.

The Scotland goalkeeper missed almost three months of the season after breaking his arm in a collision with Spurs’ Jermain Defoe in November, when Sunderland were still flying high and were in touch with the clubs chasing a top-six finish and a place in the Europa League.

However, a 13 league-game winless streak, which started almost immediately after Gordon’s injury and has continued despite his return, has seen the Black Cats go from European hopefuls three months ago to a side now hovering just three points above the relegation zone and battling the drop.

Like most on Wearside, Gordon cannot believe how quickly Sunderland’s dreams have turned to dust, but he is determined to doing everything he can to stop the rot and help the Black Cats earn their first league win since November as Fulham come to the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

The £9m man said: “Back when I was injured, I never thought we would end up being in a relegation battle – absolutely not.

“We were playing well back then, but things have dropped off since, although I am not saying for one second that has anything to do with me not playing!

“We had a lot of injuries and suspensions, so it was not just me that was out.

“We are on a bad run and we need to find something from somewhere to turn it round.

“We just need to get that first win and, once we do, I am sure our confidence will come back and you will see us push on until the end of the season.

“We will be more like the team we were at the start of the season.”

“The manager has been tearing his hair out trying to sort out the problems we have had and it is difficult to know how something like this can happen after such a good start to the season.