Sunderland boss Steve Bruce had to admit that his side were now fully involved in a relegation battle after being beaten by Birmingham City at St Andrews on Saturday.
Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner did the damage for the Blues as they lifted themselves above the Black Cats in the table on goal difference.
It`s all a far cry from January when Sunderland were given an outside chance of getting a European spot, but the slide downhill has put paid to that dream for the Ex Blues boss.
Bruce said: ‘There have been a few times recently when I have said the performance has not been good enough.
‘But I could not ask any more from a young, makeshift side today.
‘We have to try and take the positives out of today and if we play like that, we can still turn the season around and finish with a flourish.
‘We are in it (a relegation battle), no question about it. There are 10 teams in it and we are one of them.
‘The lads know we have not got enough points. We have one point from nine games and we’ve got to try and arrest that slump.’ 
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