Sunderland boss Roy Keane is hoping the club can enjoy a prolonged run in the Carling Cup.
Black Cats boss haunted by previous disappointments
Roy Keane is hoping Sunderland can enjoy a prolonged run in the Carling Cup ahead of a third-round tie with Northampton Town.
The Black Cats set up Tuesday's meeting with Northampton after overcoming Nottingham Forest in the previous round - the first cup match Keane had won as manager.
He admits he remains disappointed by last season's exit to Luton Town in this competition and believes the Carling Cup represents a good chance of silverware.
"There has been evidence over the years that this competition can be great for clubs and with the home draw we've got to see ourselves in the hat for the next round," said Keane.
Buzz
"A lot of decent teams were knocked out in the last round and they would love to be in our shoes and in the third round, we have to make the most of it.
"There's still a very long way to go in the competition. Some of the big boys have joined at this round and we'll hopefully have to come up against them later down the line, but that will be harder again.
"A good cup run creates a buzz around a football club. There have been arguments for and against this competition over the years, but the big plus for me is just being in the next round.
"Winning football games is always a plus. We managed to get through a tough game in the last round at Nottingham Forest."
Following Saturday's derby victory at home to Middlesbrough, Keane is anxious to avoid an upset against League One side Northampton.
Improvement
He added: "The defeat at Luton last season still sticks in my throat, it was a huge disappointment, as well as losing to Wigan in the FA Cup.
"There needs to be an improvement. We want to win as many games as possible. We want to win every game, whether it's Middlesbrough or Northampton, and I have a big squad of players to use.
"There's always a nice reaction when you win a game of football - there's certainly a buzz around the place after Saturday's result and it helped because it was a cracking game.
"But we have to be focused on Tuesday night now. We have to forget about the Aston Villa match on Saturday and concentrate only on Northampton, give them the respect they deserve."
