Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not be happy until he can dismiss a poor performance as a blip.

The Black Cats fought back from a 2-0 deficit against West Ham at the weekend to snatch a draw and take their tally for the season to 17 points from 11 games.

While that represents a promising start for the new manager, he is challenging his players to repeat it in their next 11 fixtures to pave the way for genuine progress in their efforts to establish the club in the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League table.

Bruce told the Black Cats' official website, www.safc.com: "The campaign is a long one and it's not just going to happen where we turn ourselves into European contenders overnight - this club has only been two years out of the Championship.

"There's still a lot of work and a lot of improvement to do until we get to a point where we can say it's a blip if we play poorly.

"We have got to look at it this way - can we do the same over the next 11 games? Can we pick up another 17 points?

"If we do that, we will have a decent platform for a decent season."

Saturday's recovery ensured that only Chelsea have left the Stadium of Light with all three points this season, with Blackburn, Hull, Wolves and Liverpool all having lost on Wearside.

The Black Cats succumbed on their own pitch on no fewer than 10 occasions last season, and that turn-around has pleased the manager as much as anything.

He said: "The most important thing is doing it in front of our own fans, and that's what we knew we needed to do this year.

"People were telling me the best performances last season were away from home, but now I think the fans have realised there's been an improvement and they can understand and enjoy what we are trying to do on the pitch.

"The players deserve a pat on the back because we have lost once - against Chelsea - and that's a decent return."

Sunderland head for Tottenham on Saturday to launch a tough November campaign which will include Arsenal's trip north and a visit to Wigan after the international break, a run which will be even more challenging because of Bruce's selection problems.

Striker Kenwyne Jones is facing three games on the sidelines after being sent off at the weekend, while skipper Lorik Cana is suspended for the game at White Hart Lane after accumulating five bookings for the season.

However, that will present opportunities to other squad members to take advantage, just as midfielder Andy Reid did when he was handed a start in the Carling Cup second round clash with Norwich.

Bruce said: "I need someone to come in, like Andy Reid did. He wasn't picked at the start of the season, but came in against Norwich and did particularly well.

"We need someone to come into the fray and make things very difficult for me.

"Andy's had a terrific start to the season and is benefiting from being in the condition he's in in terms of athleticism and overall ability.

"His ability has never been in question - it's his fitness levels, and you only have to look at him to see the improvement."