Bolo Zenden urges Sunderland team-mates to follow Fulham's lead and fight for European place

Bolo Zenden is urging his new Sunderland team-mates to “do a Fulham” by launching a concerted bid for Europe in the second half of the season.

The 54-cap Dutchman was courted by today’s opponents this summer before opting to join the Black Cats in October after being impressed by manager Steve Bruce.

But Zenden has warned Sunderland must achieve more consistency on their travels if they are to follow in Fulham’s footsteps by qualifying for the Europa League the season after a relegation battle.

Zenden said: “If we could do what Fulham did, it would be a major achievement. It’s something to work hard for because in the Premier League nothing comes to you automatically.

“Finding some consistency is a big part of that. If we want to finish in the top 10, we have to do something about our away record.

“As a club, you’re always trying to move forward. We all know what happened last year and one of our main goals is to stay clear of the relegation battle this time.

“I think a reasonable goal would be to finish in the top 10. But at the same time you have to try to get into a European spot.”

The former Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Middlesbrough veteran admits Bruce’s influence was a big factor in him returning to the North-East.

Zenden, 33, added: “I already knew Sunderland and the area from time with Boro and when I saw the kind of players Steve Bruce had already brought here, I wanted to come here.

“The manager was a major factor in my decision. He came to the club, made changes and breathed new life into the place.

“He brought in some quality players – when Darren Bent left Spurs, the only club he wanted to join was Sunderland, which was a big sign that the club is heading in the right direction.

“What we’re trying to do here is to get the club to another level. It won’t happen overnight – it will take a little bit of time – but as we all know, in football you don’t always have a lot of time.

“I felt that the club had everything I was looking for. Obviously, Sunderland is not as glamorous as Barcelona or Chelsea or Liverpool, but the main thing is that the club, and the city, breathes football.”

However, Fulham star Zoltan Gera has warned Sunderland that a trip to cosy Craven Cottage strikes fear into the hearts of their Premier League rivals.

Fulham have won four of their seven home games this season, including victory over Liverpool.

And Hungarian midfielder Gera says teams cannot handle the intimate surroundings of the Cottage and are in trouble before they even step on the pitch.

“The crowd is very good here, the pitch is tight and you’re very close to the fans,” said Gera, who scored the winner in Thursday’s Europa League win over CSKA Sofia.

“I don’t know why it affects the other teams, maybe they don’t like to play here because of the supporters but we are very good at home.

“Sometimes it’s psychological when you know the place and at home we know we can play well and win the game.”

And Gera has told Sunderland strikers Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent that they’re in for a tough day at the office against Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes.

He added: “Bent has pace, Jones is a big target man –  quick and strong. They can score lots of goals but I’m not scared as we have Hangeland and Hughes.”