Grizzly Steve Bruce can out-shout Roy Keane, says Kieran Richardson

Kieran Richardson has revealed that Steve Bruce is perfectly capable of rivalling Roy Keane in the 'Mr Angry' stakes. Sunderland's run of 13 Premier League games without a win has disturbed their manager's usual equilibrium and Richardson said: "It's not just Roy who can have black moods." Despite being a good friend of Bruce's son Alex, the midfielder knows better than to cross a man he understands far better than many of his team-mates. "You would not want to be on the wrong end of a rollicking from either Roy Keane or Steve Bruce, believe me," said Richardson ahead of Sunday's vital home game with Fulham. If Keane's reign at the Stadium of Light was characterised by sporadic temper tantrums to make even Gordon Brown blanch, Bruce does not have a picture of a grisly bear above his office desk for nothing. A few weeks ago Richardson was reported to have had a dressing-room altercation with Sunderland's manager but this turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. In reality, the former Manchester United winger remains one of Bruce's staunchest advocates. "I've known him a long time," he said. "He's going through a bad patch at the moment but he has proved to be a top manager and he will get us through this. I have no doubt about that. I believe in him. The players here still have faith in the manager and the coaching staff." After a bright beginning to the season no one, least of all, Richardson, envisaged a relegation scrap. Instead, as Liverpool and Arsenal were beaten, Europe seemed firmly on the agenda. "When you look at the squad we've got here, not only does it look stronger than all those teams below us in the table but also a few above us as well," said a versatile footballer capable of playing left-back, second striker and wide left as well as in central midfield. "I certainly wouldn't swap this squad with any other in the bottom half of the table. "We have quality players. It's just that in the last three months it has not been good for any of us. We'd made a great start, we were flying and all of us thought 'hey, it's going to be a great year' and 'Yeah, Europe's definitely on.' Then we hit a rough patch none of us really saw coming. Considering the squad we've got it never entered my head we'd be in a relegation battle. What has happened has been a bit upsetting. We've had injuries and suspensions but there's no excuses because we should still be capable of beating teams." If Sunderland fail to overcome Fulham, Bruce's position will come under intense scrutiny. "Sunday is a major, major game," agreed Richardson. "It's all about getting that first win. I still believe we can finish in the top 10 – which is where we should be now – if we put a good run together. We are more than capable."