The Black Cats headed into Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash with Wigan sitting just two points above the relegation zone and with the pressure from some quarters mounting on manager Steve Bruce. However, writing in his first programme column since replacing Niall Quinn as chairman, Short said: "Every one of us - supporters, players, staff and of course myself - are unhappy with our league position at present. "However, I remain optimistic that we will rise to a position commensurate with our ability and don't feel that there is a need to panic. "The essential point is that, while we are not happy with where we are at the moment in the table, there is no reason to panic. "The performances and results on the pitch are our number one concern and we are all looking for improvement there." Bruce too used his programme notes to urge fans to judge him at the end of the season. He said: "Let's be clear about this, our aim is still to be in the top 10. "We are three points off that at the moment, but even if we were in the top 10 come full-time today, the table in tomorrow morning's newspapers won't be the one that counts in the final analysis. "More than anything, I want to say to all of you here today that I know we are in a results business and I am fully aware of that and the fact that there will be doubters, of course. "In the end, we must be judged at the end of the season and I'm confident that come that time, we will have shown what we are capable of and be further up the table."
