A RELIEVED Steve Bruce took his seat in the Upton Park press room, puffed out his cheeks and reflected on an end to a topsy-turvy season that left him satisfied Sunderland had finished in tenth place and ahead of derby rivals Newcastle United.

The Black Cats’ comprehensive 3-0 victory at relegated West Ham United yesterday was enough to lift them a point and two places above their Wear-Tyne rivals.

It may not have been what had mattered to Sunderland at the start of the season, but together with a highest finish in the Premier League for ten years, it left Bruce with a look of final-day contentment.

The Sunderland manager remains frustrated by a run of ten defeats in 13 fixtures and a series of injuries that crippled his squad.

But he knows a top-half place helps to remind fans just how good his team were before the turn of the year.

“I’m delighted for us and all Sunderland fans,” said Bruce.

“We set out to be in the top ten but had a pretty awful three months and kept trying to tell everyone why, but the North-East doesn’t listen very well to excuses.

“I thought we were well worth it and to go up four places and finish in the top ten, above Newcastle, for the third time in four years was very pleasing for all our supporters.

“I’m very, very pleased. To finish in the top ten for the third time in 55 years shows we’ve made a bit of progress.

“I wish we hadn’t waited until the last day of the season (to finish above Newcastle).

It’s been difficult the last three months, it’s taught me how difficult the North-East is.

“Of course I’m absolutely delighted, we’re the top team in the North-East. We’ve got to make sure we stay there.

That’s my job, to keep finishing above them if I can.”

There is, though, still a huge part of Bruce thinking what might have been, knowing a depressing run between the end of January and early May left them slipping down the top-flight.

“The next thing is can we improve like we have done over the last three or four years and establish the club as a real force in the Premier League? That’s got to be our aim,” said Bruce, due to meet billionaire owner Ellis Short tomorrow to discuss summer transfer targets.

“If we’re going to pleased with just finishing in the top ten, I may as well just pack it in now. I’ve got to go and knock on the door and ask for more (money). That’s my job.

“Peter Reid finished seventh twice. You saw the difference when I had one striker in Asamoah Gyan. I’m particularly pleased for the supporters who came down here, having to pay £46 for a seat is totally disgraceful, so I’m absolutely delighted for all those thousands who’ve dug into their pockets to come and watch us.”

A first-half goal from Bolo Zenden, on his 50th and last appearance for the club, was enough to put Sunderland on their way. And when Stephane Sessegnon’s strike shortly after half-time was followed up by an injury-time third for Cristian Riveros, Sunderland ended the campaign on a high.

Zenden’s fourth goal for the club, his second of the season, helped to further highlight just how beneficial he could be to Sunderland.

But Bruce reiterated a view that the 34-year-old will be leaving when his contract expires, even though the Dutchman is yet to agree a deal with any club interested in his signature.

Bruce said: “Maybe I should have played him a little bit more. Up until January I didn’t have to change anything because we were in the top six for six months.

“He’s a great pro. Sometimes footballers get knocked, and rightly so, but if everybody was like him it would make my job very, very easy.

He’s a fantastic person who I wish very well.”

Zenden was given the opportunity to say a proper farewell to the Sunderland fans that enjoyed having him in the North-East, which is something that was not afforded to defender John Mensah.

The Ghana international was not part of the match-day squad at Upton Park and he will now return to Olympique Lyonnais, where he has been allowed to leave on loan, and will not be coming back to Sunderland.

Bruce added: “I will sit down with the board. We went in to bat with five loan players.

I will make that decision (on Mensah) this week, in the cold light of day.”