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Nosworthy delighted to hand Derby record
FOLLOWING their humiliating season of two years ago, Nyron Nosworthy believes Sunderland have gone a long way to eradicating those memories by their achievements at the Stadium of Light this season.
The Wearsiders no longer boast the lowest points total in Premier League history, thanks to Derby County's relegation, but the meagre 15-point total Sunderland amassed in 2006 still hurts Nosworthy.
The defender is one of only a handful of players still at the club who were part of the Mick McCarthy squad which suffered the indignity of setting a top-flight low.
Nosworthy, who joined the Black Cats from Gillingham three years ago, admits Sunderland have been far from comfortable on their return to the Premier League. But compared with their last top-flight dalliance, Nosworthy believes Sunderland have to be happy with preserving their status.
He said: "Given what it was like two years ago, I definitely needed this season to wipe the slate clean.
"We have struggled this season but we have proved a lot of people wrong with our performances. We have bounced back from defeats and that has surprised people.
"There have been lows but we have preserved Premier League status and that makes it a successful season."
Sunderland have succeeded where the other two teams who joined them from the Championship 12 months ago have failed.
Nosworthy added: "A lot of teams that come up struggle and if you look at the likes of Birmingham and Derby, they have gone straight back down.
"We have been in the relegation fight all season. But now that we have stayed up, I think it's a case that this season will help."
Roy Keane has already begun his clearout by informing Andrew Cole, Stanislav Varga, Peter Hartley, Ian Harte and Stephen Wright that their contracts are not going to be renewed.
Dwight Yorke's Sunderland future remains uncertain, with Keane due to hold talks with his former Manchester United team-mate this week.
Yorke wants to play one more year of professional football, but no decision has yet been made on whether it will be on Wearside.
After watching Sunderland's season come to a disappointing climax with back-to-back defeats, Keane has revealed he would ideally like to sign "seven or eight" new players during the summer.
However, much will depend on the financial backing he receives from chairman Niall Quinn.
Keane has already been linked with a renewed bid for Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt, who has insisted he will play for the relegated Royals in the Championship next season.
And both the Black Cats and North-East rivals Middlesbrough have also been linked with Chelsea's Steve Sidwell.
Nosworthy will be keeping a watchful eye on developments at the Stadium of Light.
"Overall we have to be happy with staying in this league, even if we are disappointed to have lost the last two games," he said.
"It will be exciting to go away and look on from home or abroad at what is going on with new players or whatever.
"We are looking forward to next season and we have to be relaxed about whatever happens this summer."
After consolidating their position back in the Premier League, Nosworthy believes a top-half finish is a realistic target next season.
"We are building gradually, slowly, but making progress," said Nosworthy. "Maybe that's the best way.
"We made a few signings over the course of the season and last summer, but overall the team that has played this season was the team that came up from the Championship.
"Hopefully we will build on that and make it into the top ten."
The 27-year-old is also realistic and knows that if Sunderland are to make an impression on the top half of the Premier League table then they need to strengthen in most areas.
He added: "We have a good squad at the moment but we need that little bit more quality. That will make no difference to the players already here, it just means competition will have increased.
"If you are not doing what you are supposed to be doing then you will be left out. That's what Sunderland needs.
5:03am Thursday 15th May 2008
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