START as you mean to go on – that’s the key to Blues’ revival.

Since the Carling Cup final, Blues spluttered along in the Premier League.

But a conscious effort to come out of the traps quickly since the Wigan Athletic defeat has reaped rewards.

“It’s something we’ve been working on,” admitted Craig Gardner. “We need to get at them, get at teams from the first whistle.

“We’re in a relegation fight. It’s not as if we’re just going to turn up and pick up results.

“We’ve got to force the tempo and get in people’s faces and that’s what we’ve been doing.”

Sunderland’s visit today is yet another critical fixture, just as much for the Black Cats as Blues, in fact.

Sunderland have taken just one point out of the last 24 and are nervous about being dragged right into the thick of the relegation scrap.

“We have been great the last two games and hopefully we can get out of the traps early, get at them and pick up the right result,” said Gardner.

“It’s a massive game, like a cup final, and Sunderland aren’t turning into a bad team overnight.

“But I think we’ve got enough experience and youth to see us through it, and the rest of the season.”

Gardner admitted that Blues kept a beady eye on all their rivals fixtures and what they had to do.

“We speak about everything. We make sure all corners are covered and looked over,’’ he added.

“We’ve got everything in control and we know what we’re doing. Sunderland’s a massive game, it’s a big three points.”