Bruce's position at the Stadium of Light has come under the microscope in recent weeks after a disastrous run in the Premier League. After a promising start to the campaign, Sunderland have now gone 13 games without a win to leave them nervously looking over their shoulders at the relegation scrap at the wrong end of the table. However, Bent insists Bruce is the right man to turn things around on Wearside. "All the players are behind the manager 100 per cent," said Bent. "We know he's the man to take us forward. We'd all like to be further up the league, but it shouldn't be forgotten that it's still early days for him and his team. "At every club, the manager is the one who gets the stick, but it's the players who have to perform on the pitch." Bent has also pledged his long-term future to Sunderland, saying he is enjoying life in the North East following his arrival from Tottenham last summer. "I feel like an honorary Mackem," added Bent. "I feel like I've got into the spirit of the Sunderland way. "I knew before I came here that this was a massive club and nothing I've seen has dented that. "Every time I train, every time I go out on to the pitch, I want to grasp it, to show that I'm worthy of playing for a big club like Sunderland ."
