Source: Northern_Echo
Richardson hoping Cats can stretch unbeaten run
KEIRAN RICHARDSON insists Sunderland must not get carried away after the 2-2 draw with Everton saw their unbeaten run stretch to four games.[LNB] The Black Cats appear to have put the heavy derby defeat to Newcastle firmly behind them with two draws and two wins, which have propelled them to seventh in the Premier League table.[LNB] At the beginning of the season, Steve Bruce's men targeted a top-ten finish and if their good form continues, they will be well on course to achieve that.[LNB] This time last season though, Bruce's side were lying in eighth place, but a 14- match run without a win saw them slip down into the bottom half of the table, finishing 13th.[LNB] Richardson admits the atmosphere is good on Wearside at the moment, but insists the team must not let a repeat of last season's dip in form happen if they are to achieve their ambition.[LNB] It's important to manage the expectations, the former Manchester United man said.[LNB] We can't get too far in front of ourselves. We're playing good football at the moment, but football can change just like that.[LNB] This time last season, we went on a really bad run around Christmas, not winning for 13 games.[LNB] We can't take anything for granted, although we are feeling much more confident as a team now and we're playing good football as well.[LNB] A top ten finish is still the main aim for us. You know the stats (from last season). We had a really rough time, but we still only just missed out on finishing tenth.[LNB] If we'd picked up more points in those 13 games, we would probably have finished in the top half.[LNB] We're more than capable of improving this season. Our home record is phenomenal, and teams know that when they come here. They're going to find it very hard to beat us.[LNB] Our away form hasn't been anything like as good, but we're trying to pick it up and the Chelsea result has given everyone a lift.[LNB] We're going away to Wolves on Saturday, and we'll be travelling with confidence because of what we did in the last away game.[LNB] At just 26, Richardson is now one of the more senior figures in the dressing room but the midfielder believes the young squad have the potential to cement Sunderland as a top-half team.[LNB] I'm one of the older players in the dressing room now, and it's a bit strange, Richardson said.[LNB] It's part of life though I guess you grow older and your responsibilities change.[LNB] I'm only 26, but I'm one of the older players at the club.[LNB] They're great lads with great potential. They just have to keep their heads down and keep playing football as they are. I'm sure if they do, they'll all go on to have great careers.[LNB] This feels like a club on the up. You look around and we're one of the youngest teams in the Premier League, so who knows what we might be capable of in the future[LNB] We're young, but we can already hold our own against anyone in the league. We've shown that. It doesn't matter if a kid is 19-years-old if he has ability, he can go out and do it.[LNB] We have a good team spirit in there, all the lads are together.[LNB] Maybe it's because we're all young that we get on so well.[LNB] The spirit is great, and that's also great credit to the gaffer. He's brought these players in and given them a chance, and it's great for the club.[LNB] Meanwhile, injury-hit striker Frazier Campbell has described his cruciate ligament injury as the lowest point in his career.[LNB] The 23-year-old sustained the damage in the 1-0 over Manchester City in August and is currently halfway through a six-month lay off.[LNB] Initially, Campbell thought the injury wasn't serious, but admits it was a shock when the full extent of it sunk in.[LNB] When I went home after the game it didn't feel too bad, the former Manchester United man said.[LNB] But when I had it (the scan), the doctor said I would be out for six months and it really hit me that night.[LNB] That was probably the lowest point of my career so far, but I just had to sweep it under the carpet and get on with it. You don't get any better by dwelling on things We have a great medical team here and they have been fantastic with me.[LNB] The time is flying by. The first couple of months are the hardest and I've found them comparatively easy, so I think things are going really well.[LNB]
