AFTER inheriting a squad bereft of self-belief in front of their own supporters, Martin O'Neill has spoken of the need to reunite Sunderland's players with the club's passionate fans once more.

O'Neill heads in to his first match in charge of the Black Cats on Sunday knowing there have been just two wins from their last 15 Premier League matches at the Stadium of Light.

It is a statistic which, ultimately, cost Steve Bruce his job because of the manner in which supporters turned on him during the 2-1 defeat to Wigan in their last home game.

Throw in the facts that Sunderland are without a win in their last five games and sit just a point above the relegation zone and O'Neill is well aware of the importance of making an immediate impact.

"I think part of the task is re-igniting the fans," said O'Neill. "The players have to try to perform under pressure. You have to be able to perform when your confidence is not that high. It's that much easier to perform when things are going for you.

"They've had those experiences and I hope that sort of thing will stand them in good stead for the coming months. It will need to.

"Having the crowd behind them is great, but the crowd not so happy is something they have to endure. That might still continue, but I'm hoping that over time the crowd will have a galvanic effect on the team and they can play with a bit of confidence."

O'Neill has been installed with the knowledge of having the Sunderland fans behind him. Steve Bruce, due to his Geordie roots, could not have said that when he first took charge two-and-a-half years ago.

But the new man in charge is mindful of tuning in to the fans' passion early on, knowing that having the support from the stands could be a major factor in his attempts to turn around the club's form.

Sunderland are also doing their best off the pitch to make Sunday's bow against Blackburn a special occasion. They have announced an offer for season card holders that can see them purchase two extra tickets for just £10 each.

O'Neill, hoping his arrival will spark a full-house, said: "My job is to re-ignite the passion and I would consider that a very major part of my job. That is something you could say I am looking forward, I know that passion is there.

"There is a bit of frustration about the place at the moment and if you try to galvanise it, that is what I am looking to do."

O'Neill is already facing his first selection problems as Sunderland manager, with options extremely limited in the final third for his opening match.

Nicklas Bendtner, one of Sunderland's brightest players this season, has been battling to overcome a groin problem and will be assessed further in the next 48 hours.

The Denmark striker has effectively become an automatic choice since his arrival from Arsenal on a season long loan and if he is missing against Blackburn then O'Neill has a real problem on his hands.

With Connor Wickham and Fraizer Campbell still a couple of weeks away from a return to action, Ji Dong-Won would be the only recognised senior striker available if Bendtner missed out.

Teenager Ryan Noble, who Bruce was reluctant to play despite banging in the goals for the reserves, is also an option, while attacking midfielder Stephane Sessegnon could be asked to lead the line again.