Keane not satisfied with Premier survival

10:34am Tuesday 1st May 2007

A BULLISH Roy Keane insists Sunderland are not just going to make up the numbers in the Premier League next season.

The Black Cats clinched an immediate return to the Premiership at the weekend, after a 3-2 home victory over Burnley on Friday night was followed by Crystal Palace's 2-0 triumph over Derby County at Selhurst Park, which dashed the Rams' automatic promotion chances.

Sunderland's return to the top flight represents a remarkable turnaround in fortunes, given the club were relegated after accumulating the lowest number of points - 15 - since the Premier League was inaugurated in 1992-1993 and, after losing the first five games of this term's campaign.

One would imagine the club would be erring on the side of caution about next season's prospects given last term's humiliating slump, but not Keane, who has gone a long way to erasing the memories of 2005/06.

The boss is aware other managers are more than happy to survive a first term back in the big time, but he has bigger plans for his newly-promoted side.

"We're going to the Premiership and you won't hear me saying if we finish fourth from bottom it will be a good season," insisted Keane. "We're looking to go up there and make our mark. I believe we can do. We're not going up with the attitude of just surviving.

"History would suggest the club's had difficult times. It has been a yo-yo club, there's no getting away from that and we want to change the mind-set."

If Keane is to change that perception he knows he'll have to strengthen his squad.

He mischievously suggested his squad could take on and beat the likes of Chelsea, Blackburn and Middlesbrough earlier this month. But last night he made that statement a little clearer.

He said: "I've seen one-off games, when I saw Middlesbrough v West Brom and Blackburn v Chelsea - on those particular days I said I fancied us. It's completely different when you're competing week in, week out against top teams, it's a different battle."

But Keane revealed he has already put plans in place to bring in players that can compete with the likes of Chelsea.

He said: "If I can bring in the right players to help the players we've already got we can add to the Premiership and not just try to hang in there. Hopefully I'll be able to talk with (chairman) Niall (Quinn) and (chief executive) Peter Walker in the next few weeks and see what's available.

"I'm ready. This football club should be in the Premiership. I think this football club's ready for the Premiership.

"We need a bigger and stronger squad. I look at our back four and two aren't even our players. Jonny (Evans) and Danny (Simpson) will be going back to Manchester United and they've been a major part of our success - a solid back four since Christmas.

"The hard work starts now and it's not a time to relax. Nyron (Nosworthy)'s a recognised right-back, Danny Collins is a centre-back who has done brilliantly at left-back. The players I've brought in have done a fantastic job and they'll have their part to play."

While Keane concedes challenging for a place in the Champions League may be out of their reach at present he reiterated his desire to attract players who have graced Europe's premier competition.

He said: "We want to send out a message with the players we sign that they're the kind of players we can attract.

"Sunderland's a different football club now, we hope. There's new chairman, new owners, new manager and I'm hoping I can attract big players.

"I've got one or two in mind, yes."

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