IN seven of Sunderland's 12 Premier League fixtures this season, they have conceded fewer than two goals, keeping four clean sheets along the way. Hardly a statistic to beat a team sitting two points above the relegation zone with.

In fact only Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Liverpool have conceded fewer, which has left defender John O'Shea to reflect that the Black Cats need to find a solution to their goalscoring headache - and fast.

After looking at the run of fixtures up to and through the Christmas period, O'Shea has warned of the importance of finding the knack to scoring goals. The question, however, will be how, with two of their strikers, Connor Wickham and Fraizer Campbell, not due back for a number of weeks.

Sunderland have failed to score in each of their last two games since losing Wickham to a knee injury sustained in the draw with Aston Villa on October 29.

"For the team itself we have shown glimpses of what we can do but not consistently enough," said O'Shea. "Away from home we have done quite well, but you are scratching your head thinking about it. We should be taking our chances, especially at home there have been a couple of times when we have been dominant at games.

"You know through the years in this league that if you don't score when on top it will haunt you. We had the better chances against Fulham last weekend. It would have given a different confidence to the team had we gone on and taken one and we'd have been more confident on the ball."

A failure to win more than once on home soil this season has increased the frustration being felt among the Sunderland supporters, with many questioning Bruce's position.

A failure to overcome a team sitting in the bottom three would only throw weight to Bruce's critics ahead of a run of fixtures in which Sunderland fans will be looking for an improved run of results.

After Wigan's visit, Sunderland face Wolves (a), Blackburn (h), Tottenham (a) and QPR (a) before Christmas. Then they hit the turn of the year with dates with Everton (h), Manchester City (h) and a trip to Wigan on January 3.

In the build up to last week's draw with Fulham, Bruce had outlined a desire to emerge from such a run of games with at least 15 points. O'Shea, his captain, is well of the need to deliver.

"The crowd is going to be important to us," said O'Shea. "We need to maintain our shape and can't go gung-ho at home as much as we would like to, because it leaves you vulnerable on the counter and that is what the away team wants.

"We know there is an edginess when we are not in control, but we know the other teams can hit you on the break so we have to stick to the plan. Our shape and discipline in the next eight to ten games will be vital if we want to pick up points."

O'Shea's versatility is a key factor for Bruce's defence, with the manager using the centre-back as a right-back this season when the Irishman has been fit.

"I am playing right-back at the moment for club and country and I am enjoying it," said Bruce. "But if the manager wants me to do a job elsewhere, centre-back, left-back wherever, I have no problem. I even played up front once or twice for United ... not too bad a success rate."