Bruce is currently in Korea as part of a club delegation seeking to promote the Black Cats brand around the world, but that did not prevent the rumour machine going into overdrive once again over the weekend. Sources on Wearside have been swift to dismiss suggestions that Bruce was under threat with Martin O'Neill being lined up to replace him at the Stadium of Light. However, there is little doubt results need to improve on Wearside if the 50-year-old is to retain the support he currently enjoys from owner and new chairman Ellis Short, and that could prove difficult this weekend when Sunderland resume their Premier League campaign with a trip to Arsenal. But Bruce remains confident he will get it right. He told the Northern Echo: "I hope that people still have faith in me. "I know people will be questioning me, of course they are. But I'm a determined, resilient, horrible so-and-so and I will try my utmost to turn it around. "I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I'm not going to put up the white flag now. "I knew what it would be like and the challenge is still the same for me - can we get a team together that mount a sustained challenge in the top 10?" The Black Cats headed into the break for international matches sitting in 16th place in the table after a run of seven league games which has brought just one victory.
