Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has revealed that he wouldn't be at the club if he didn't believe that they could survive in the Premier League this season.
The Uruguayan took over at the Stadium of Light after the club had failed to win any of their opening seven games in the league, and were sitting bottom with just a point.
Poyet told Sky Sports News: "That's why I am here. If not, I would be gone, I can promise you that. I wouldn't stay here if I was not convinced it was possible. I am not that type of person that would just lie to myself and lie to people, 'Yes, yes, yes, it's possible'.
"Maybe I am making a mistake, who knows? But again, I believe it's possible because these 19 games I have been in charge have proved to me, we have taken 23 points, it's possible.
"If we take 13, 14 points [from the remaining 12 games], it's going to be close to that 40, 37, 38, 39 - who knows?"
Sunderland face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Simon Sinclair
