SUNDERLAND chairman Ellis Short has revealed his delight at the progress made under new manager Martin O'Neill and believes a comfortable top ten finish is the main priority over the next few seasons.

When Short made the decision to part company with Steve Bruce in November, Sunderland were languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League heading for a relegation scrap, but nearly four months later the situation on Wearside is looking rosy.

Eight wins since the Northern Irishman was appointed have seen the Black Cats jump up to eighth in the table, while a FA Cup quarter-final at Everton beckons on Saturday after defeating Arsenal at the Stadium of Light in round five.

Such an improvement has delighted American Short, who has made substantial funds available for new players since arriving at the club, and while on the field matters are improving, he admits the structure behind the scenes is a lot stronger.

"Martin has been a tremendously positive influence on the club," Short said speaking to SAFCTV.

"Most importantly, of course, on the pitch - we are in a much different situation, in a much more positive place, and feel much more optimistic.

"Off the pitch, he has been fantastic as well. He is a very intelligent and engaging guy, easy to deal with and also, importantly, his enthusiasm has lifted the whole place.

"I'm happy with the club's overall progress on the pitch. Since Martin has joined, I think we have played very well.

"The results speak for themselves and, probably with the exception of the West Brom game, we have played some very good football.

"Right now I think we have the strongest board that we have ever had, and top management also. I believe we have the best, passionate, most committed people in all the right jobs.

"The job of the business people, really, is to maximise the earnings potential of the club, which will enable us to be as competitive as possible in the new era of FIFA fair play."

Since Short took control of Sunderland in 2008, the club's position in the Premier League has improved steadily.

The American has sanctioned big money transfers for the likes of Darren Bent, Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner in that time and hopes the club can emulate last season tenth-place finish this season and beyond.

He said: "After the last game of the season three seasons ago when we had lost to Chelsea, but just barely managed to avoid relegation, I was asked what my hopes for the future were and I said I would like it if we were not in a relegation battle again and we could finish in the top ten.

"At that time, three seasons ago, that proved to be a little bit optimistic.

"We have been able to finish in the top ten once, last season, but in every season I have been involved, at one point, you could argue we have been in a relegation scrap - including this season.

"So I hate to make projections but what I would rather do is talk about what I hope happens over the next few seasons. I would like it if we are not in a relegation battle ever again and I would also like to finish in the top ten.

"But, rather than just a top ten finish, I would like it if we could finish comfortably within the top ten."

Short also believes the Black Cats deserve more respect, insisting every team that comes to the Stadium of Light should be afraid of defeat after the likes of Man City and Liverpool left Wearside with nothing this season.

"I'd like more respect in the league, which comes through better performance and better league table position.

"I'd like it if, when the big teams came here to play, they were afraid of losing.

"And it would be nice if, when the big teams come, rather than the pundits talking about the big teams taking maximum points 'from the likes of Sunderland', they were talking about what a tough match it was going to be and how it is one that they could very likely lose.

"I think if we are playing that kind of football and competing in the top ten, that's the kind of results that we, the Sunderland fans, want."

n Billy Knott has extended his loan spell at AFC Wimbledon by a further month.