UNDER-FIRE Sunderland boss Steve Bruce insists he has a good relationship with owner Ellis Short, but admits he will not take his support for granted if results don't improve.

The Black Cats are still looking for their first win of the campaign after a disappointing start that has seen Bruce's side put just two points on the board.

Towards the end of last Saturday's home defeat to Chelsea, cries of ‘Bruce out' came from certain sections of the crowd at the Stadium of Light, with mounting discontent making the Sunderland manager's position increasingly insecure.

Short witnessed the defeat to Andre Villas Boas' side and it would have been very hard for the American owner to ignore the negative comments aimed at the man he employs.

But Bruce insists his relationship with both Short and Chairman Niall Quinn is healthy, although he knows the pressure will continue to grow if his side don't pick up a win soon.

He said: "The one thing I won't take for granted is the relationship with the owner and Niall.

"A football manager is judged on one thing, results, especially in the Premier League and results at the moment have not been that great, but we have had Chelsea and Liverpool and the frenzy caused because we lost to Newcastle.

"I think they are sensible enough to know the job I have done over the last couple of years. Two years ago they were nearly relegated on the last game, we got to our third best position in 55 years last season and they realise we have made big changes. Thankfully they're quite sensible about it.

"We had a good day playing golf and we even won the thing, which always helps. It's the first thing I've won in about 15 years since I left United. I was used to it once.

"The relationship is fine but as I have said repeatedly, I won't take that for granted. I need to win a match for everybody to quieten the hysteria down, I am convinced of that.

"They are disappointed with the start, of course, but they also understand the job I have done and that I surely need more than three or four games. Thankfully, I am convinced that they feel that way too. We need to win a couple of games."

Bruce will hope his side can record their first win tomorrow, when Stoke City are the visitors to the Stadium of Light.

To contend with the Potters' physical approach, Bruce is likely to reshuffle his side to accommodate two big strikers.

Stephane Sessegnon will be moved out to the left, leaving Bruce to make a decision over who partners Nicklas Bendtner up front.

South Korean Ji Dong-Won will be in the frame after scoring his first Premier League goal in last weekend's defeat, but teenager Connor Wickham is also pushing for a start.

Bruce has been reluctant to throw the 18-year-old into the Premier League caldron thus far, but his encouraging 30-minute appearance last week has given the Sunderland manager food for thought.

"We have four or five strikers now who will play their part and Connor and Ji will," Bruce said.

"We saw glimpses last week of what Connor is about and he will be fantastic for this club, but I am still determined to guard him because he is only a boy.

Tomorrow will also see Peter Crouch walk out at the Stadium of Light for Stoke less than a month after Bruce tried to sign the striker on transfer deadline.

The Black Cats boss explains the move would have happened if Asamoah Gyan had left earlier, and he hopes the missed chance won't come back to haunt him.

"I hope the script is not written.

"We all know what I think of Peter Crouch but it was not to be."