The sides went into Saturday's Premier League clash locked together on six points and with Bruce, in particular, under pressure, but it was Sunderland who found their form in a 2-0 win thanks to late goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner. It was only a second win of the season for Sunderland, but the Black Cats boss, who was again busy in the transfer window this summer, is optimistic there is better to come. He said: "It's been a difficult period. We haven't been able to quieten the storm since the second game of the season because we lost the derby and, with results not going our way, it's created a frenzy. Let's hope we can start our season now. "I've always thought that the longer the season goes, with the new players we've brought it, we've practically had a new team thrown together, so it's going to take a bit of time. "It's very easy to go six or seven weeks in the Premier League without getting a win, that's why it is the best league in the world. "But what we've got on the pitch and in the stands compared to two years ago, I'll let other people draw their own conclusions but I think we're improving. You can only do that by results, that's what judge you." One of Bruce's summer signings was 18-year-old striker Connor Wickham, for whom he paid Ipswich £8million, and yesterday the teenager made his first Premier League start. Wickham was quiet in the first half but made his considerable presence felt in the second half with a couple of runs before hitting the bar with an effort that was almost certainly intended as a cross. Bruce said: "I think everyone can see what an outstanding talent he is. "The first thing you see straight away is the physicality of him, he's a huge lad, but I just detected when he first came to us he was still a boy, and we must remember he could play in our youth team. "I thought then we had to protect him and make sure that when we did throw him in, that he was ready. Thankfully the three or four months he's had with us has let him get established and understand the demands of what it's like to play in the Premier League. "I thought when we first introduced him as a substitute he was a bit caught up with that. But it was important we did give him his chance, and he was ready for it. I thought he was excellent, especially as the game wore on." While there was delight for Bruce and Sunderland, for his opposite number Owen Coyle it was another poor result in a season that has so far brought seven defeats and only two wins. Most worrying for the Bolton boss is their home form, which could not be in greater contrast to last term. Having picked up 35 of their 46 points at the Reebok Stadium in 2010/11, the Trotters are pointless after five games. Asked what they must do to turn things around, Coyle said: "Very simply we need to win, and whatever it takes to win the game that's what you've got to do. "We had a fantastic home record last season and we're a little bit unfortunate that we had to play some of the top teams early but within that we've also lost at home to Norwich as well. "We can't just play for half a game. The players know when they cross that white line they have to play for the fullness of the game. "It's the best league in the world for a reason, because of the quality that it brings week in, week out and the different demands. "You have to be prepared and stand up, not only on the physical side and showing your ability but also the mental side, and in the second half we didn't do it well enough."
