Spending, solidity and Strictly Dad Dancing: Sunderland's 2010 in review, by Simon Bird

Published 16:00 31/12/10

Steve Bruce's 2010 was a tale of two strikers, potential waiting to be fulfilled, and optimism abounding at the Stadium of Light.

With any luck, Bolo Zenden will soon be leading the dancing in the streets of Wearside. On second thoughts... maybe leave the hip gyrations to Asamoah Gyan.

If there is a surprise package to emerge from the pack in the league this year, Sunderland are heading the queue to be on the tails of the top five.

Bruce has succeeded in his first declared mission - Sunderland are no longer a yo-yo club haunted by the fear of relegation.

But with that comes renewed targets, and with a following wind Bruce's men could well achieve what chairman Niall Quinn calls his "ultimate" ambition - leading Sunderland in Europe.

Darren Bent was the club's man of the year, finishing his first season on Wearside with 25 goals, one big reason why Sunderland survived comfortably and can this year look to push well into the top ten.

But unlucky Bent, for the second time in his career, missed out on the being part of England's World Cup squad after being dropped from the final 23 at the final cut.

May should have heralded much greater progress for the Wearsiders, but for a Winter of Discontent that saw Sunderland plunge down the table after going 14 games without a league win between late November and early March.

But the home form has remained solid and Sunderland have lost just once at the Stadium of Light in more than 12 months, and are unbeaten their this season. As Steve Bruce is prone to say in his quirky way: "We've not lost at home since pussy was a cat."

Once again owner Ellis Short sanctioned summer spending that eclipsed most rivals and continued to run the club without fanfare but with admirable backing for his key men. Gyan broke the club record fee costing £13million and is finding his scoring boots and fitness alongside Bent.

Loan signings have been just as crucial, witnessed by the brilliant goal scoring form of Manchester United kid Danny Welbeck lately.

There have been memorable wins, including the 3-0 romp at Chelsea which Bruce said was his best ever. It atoned in some way for the devastating 5-1 defeat at St James's Park (Bruce: "The worst ever.") that to their credit Sunderland players are refusing to let define their season.

That's because they have so much to offer. Jordan Henderson breaking into the England squad was a potent symbol of the youth Bruce has assembled.

They have regularly fielded the youngest side in the league averaging around 24.

Expect Sunderland 2011 to be mixing it towards the top of the table. Given a bit of luck with injuries, and more goals from Bent, anything is possible.

Quinn has another dream. To start selling out the Stadium of Light again. Economics and pirate pub screenings are keeping attendances below 40,000.

But at the flashes shown in 2010, Sunderland have a team worthy of a 48,000 capacity.

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