Gordon expects top-flight survival

Sunderland goalkeeper eyes improvements

Last updated: 1st October 2008

Craig Gordon1

Gordon: Confident

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Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon is confident he and his team-mates will avoid a relegation battle in the Premier League this season.

The Black Cats finished 15th last term after making their return to the top flight, but Roy Keane's men were only three points clear of the drop zone.

Gordon, though, is confident Sunderland will comfortably survive this term after manager Keane spent £30million in the summer transfer market.

And Scotland international Gordon believes Sunderland - who currently sit in 13th position - are capable of improvements.

"We haven't set ourselves targets as far as positions for the end of the season, but we do want to improve on last season and get as high up the league as we possibly can," said Gordon.

Improve

"We have brought in a number of players again this season, and it will take time. But we are getting there.

"It will take its time, but we are determined to improve as a team and get better and finish as high up this league as we can."

And Gordon has pointed to the experience of the likes of signings Pascal Chimbonda, George McCartney, Anton Ferdinand, Steed Malbranque, Djibril Cisse and El-Hadji Diouf as a reason for optimism at the Stadium of Light.

He said: "For some of the lads who have come in this season and have already played in the Premier League, that's not such a big step.

"We do have a bit more experience in the squad now, and that should help settle the team and get us pointing in the right direction more quickly."