Sunderland boss Steve Bruce knows fans want his team to win with style.

Bruce insists his team can meet the expectations of Sunderland supporters.

"You have to play in a certain way and you have to win, I cannot get away with just humping the ball up the pitch, they would not accept that and I understand that. They want their team to show they have a bit of passion like they do and you have to give them that and a fighting attitude," he said.

"I think the vast majority of fans have seen from where we were two and a half years ago that we are way ahead of that and sometimes we need reminding of that too. This squad of players compared to where we were is miles in front.

"Slowly but surely we are establishing ourselves and I am still convinced we can make a pitch to finish higher than tenth. It is going to be hard but that is still my aim."