We’re ready for the next level, says Richardson

Apr 5 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

KIERAN Richardson insists Sunderland won’t face another battle against the drop if they stay up this season, writes MARK DOUGLAS.

The England international believes his side’s combination of an ambitious board and one of the game’s most promising young managers will lead them to the “next level” if they retain their Premier League status.

His optimistic message – combined with Keane’s desire for a £50m war chest to strengthen in the summer – offer a tantalising glimpse of an exciting future if Sunderland can make it over the finish line in the next six games.

If they do Keane is sure to set about selling his vision of Sunderland to prospective new signings this summer.

Arguably Richardson was his first success on that front, with Keane able to persuade the England international to swap Old Trafford for the Stadium of Light on the back of the club’s potential to become an established top flight force in the coming years.

And despite a campaign spent almost solely battling the drop Richardson remains convinced of Sunderland’s potential. “When I was on loan at West Brom and we stayed up we knew the club would be in for another survival fight the next season but that doesn’t have to be the case here,” he said. “There’s a feeling that perhaps we can go to the next level next season, I’d certainly like to think so. With the players already here, the manager we’ve already got and an ambitious boardroom I think we’ll be able to attract quality players.

“Bringing in top quality players would only improve the players here, make us better and help to make Sunderland in to a strong force. That’s why I came here. You don’t leave Manchester United unless it’s for a club you think is going places.

“With the players we’ve brought in I’ve always thought we should be higher than we are. Injuries and things like that haven’t gone our way but we’ve got a full squad now and things are starting to go right.”

With a seven-point cushion between them and the drop zone Sunderland have the look of a team with one foot in the Premier League next season.

But Richardson – a veteran of West Brom’s “miracle escape” from relegation in 2005 – said: “Anything can happen in the six games remaining. We’ve just won two games on the bounce and are seven points clear, it just shows what can happen. “We can’t get complacent.”