Keane: We must push on April 05 2008
Manager Roy Keane wants his Sunderland players to get over the finishing line after victory at Fulham put them within sight of Premier League safety.
Keane insists they are not in the clear yet but the 3-1 win at Craven Cottage put them 10 points ahead of Bolton, who are currently in the final relegation place.
It was Sunderland's third successive win and Keane believes a factor in their form is players returning from injury.
"I've known all along that with a fully-fit squad we'll have a better chance," he said.
"All the players are pushing each other - there's not a better team at training and they are all very competitive and are pushing each other.
"It gives us a chance but obviously we need to get over that finishing line."
Danny Collins gave Sunderland the lead on the stroke of half-time, with Michael Chopra coming on at the break and adding the second with a neat lob after Kenwyne Jones flicked on a long ball.
David Healy pulled one back but Jones restored the two-goal advantage.
Despite Sunderland fans celebrating in expectation of top-flight football next season, Keane remained cautious.
"We can still be caught," he said. "We are in a much better position than we were three weeks ago but we have tough game (Manchester City) coming up and obviously we are not safe.
"Maybe a few teams last season thought that and West Ham went on an unbelievable run. The likes of Birmingham, Bolton and Wigan are capable of winning games.
"We shouldn't be dancing in the streets after winning three games in a row."
In fact, Keane thought the opener came against the run of play.
"Our performance wasn't great and our passing wasn't up to scratch but we scored at the right time," he said.
"In the first half we were very poor, I was glad to get them in at half-time. We huffed and puffed but didn't have quality but we scored just before half-time."
The only consolation for Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was other relegation candidates losing as well.
"It's a minor consolation," he said. "It was a game we had to win and coming in 1-0 down at half-time was unbelievably cruel after the way the first half went.
"The only thing I could say remotely positive is that they kept going. I'm devastated by the result, I'm really saddened by it and sad that we couldn't win a game we believed we could."
Hodgson looked distraught after the final whistle and was jeered on his way to the dressing room.
"It will be very difficult to lift the players," he added. "At half-time it was difficult to lift them but I had great hope.
"When the second goal went in I knew it would be very hard. I don't know if we've scored three goals all season."
Sunderland's success when they complete survival will inevitably see Keane's reputation enhanced, but he added: "I've been a manager for two minutes, I spoke to Roy Hodgson before the game who has so much experience and it's nice to plug into that.
"I hope with every day and week I'm improving but I must have made 400 to 500 big mistakes this season, as long as you learn from them."