Sunderland Heading For Europe?

Of course, thinking about something and that something turning into a reality are two very different things and so much is going to depend on injuries and suspensions.

In fact, as I've commented before on this blog, I still find it difficult to understand why Bruce decided to enter the campaign with such a small squad.

The folly of that decision has been exposed this week with the news Lee Cattermole is going to be missing for at least three months with a knee injury.

Lose another midfielder in the next couple of weeks and it will be square pegs into round holes time until the transfer window opens in January.

Momentum has to be maintained to mean anything substantial and the biggest question is whether Sunderland can manage to do that with such a glaring lack of strength in depth.

Cattermole has been outstanding, a brilliant buy by Bruce. Indeed, I'm sure the sight of the England Under-21 international playing so well for the Black Cats has in someway contributed to Gareth Southgate's demise at Middlesbrough.

That decision to sell the Academy graduate last year has regularly came back to haunt him, particularly as one of Boro's major problems has been a lack of bite in the centre of midfield. It was like selling a bag of magic beans in exchange for a cow!

However, it says something about the success of Bruce's transfer strategy when Cattermole cannot comfortably be called Sunderland's best summer signing.

Darren Bent and Lorik Cana would definitely have something to say about that and I'd be interested to know who would come top of an early season fans poll.

How Bent has not managed to force his way back into the England squad is beyond me and forget about cult heroes, Cana is fast becoming a Black Cats legend after just a handful of games in English football.

When you throw centre-back Michael Turner in the mix as well, Sunderland's spine has been brilliantly strengthened by the new manager, who would also argue Fraizer Campbell's addition to the squad has been an astute decision as back up to the excellent Bent-Jones partnership.

Indeed, is it too early to start talking about the Bent-Jones axis as the best double act in red and white stripes since Kevin Phillips fluttered around Niall Quinn and Peter Reid briefly looked as though he would bring continental competition to Wearside?

Sunderland probably still need a bit more pace down the flanks, despite the signing of Bolo Zenden, and cover for Cana and Cattermole in the middle to be able to sustain their excellent start to the season

I'm sure Bruce still has an eye on strengthening his defence as well, particularly in the full-back positions as I'm not entirely sure he is convinced by either Phil Bardsley or George McCartney.

All in all, though, Sunderland fans have every right to be excited about what the future holds. An excellent chairman with a talented English manager and a team which is already ruffling feathers. What more could you want after two years of relegation battles? Sign well in January and the Europa League beckons.