Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn is determined to bring an end to the Black Cats' yo-yo existence by establishing them as a Premier League club.The Irishman, who less than two years ago fronted the Drumaville consortium's successful takeover at the Stadium of Light, has witnessed the highs and the lows of life on Wearside during his long association with the club he represented with such distinction as a player.
But having persuaded investors to back his vision for the club's long-term future with hard cash, the chairman is hopeful that Roy Keane can bring stability to a team which has rebounded between English football's top two divisions with monotonous regularity for decades.
Quinn said: "Sunderland supporters understand the difficulties involved in ensuring we stay in the Premier League and establish ourselves.
"Last season was the first time ever in the yo-yo history of the club that we have bounced straight back into the top flight after relegation, and it is so important that we consolidate and create a bit of breathing space to allow ourselves to go on and be in a healthier position year on year.
"There have been tough times that we have all shared and we will all share in enjoying the better days."
Quinn's comments came in his programme notes for Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City, and it is a fair bet he wrote them hoping that by 4.50pm, the club's top-flight status would have been mathematically assured.
In the event, a slapstick final 11 minutes at the Stadium of Light coupled with wins for Bolton and Fulham meant that Sunderland head into next weekend's derby trip to Newcastle seven points clear of the relegation zone, but still with work to do.
Keane was not a happy man as he surveyed the wreckage of a poor game in which his side emerged from a lacklustre first half to dominate, but then capitulated horribly at the death.
Joe Hart's 23rd-minute save from Kenwyne Jones represented the only notable action before the break, and although the Black Cats stepped up a gear after it, there was little sign of what was to come.
The game turned on 79 minutes when City substitute Daniel Sturridge went down under Nyron Nosworthy's challenge and referee Mike Riley pointed to the spot.
Keane later insisted there had been no contact and opposite number Sven-Goran Eriksson admitted the decision was harsh, but Brazilian midfielder Elano needed no second invitation to convert from 12 yards.
However, Sunderland were back on terms within three minutes when skipper Dean Whitehead met Andy Reid's cross with a sweet volley to claim his first goal of the season.
Given their capacity for scoring late goals, the home side set about the task of finding a winner with some relish, but it was Darius Vassell, on as a replacement for the injured Sturridge, who scuffed home the winner with three minutes remaining after Grant Leadbitter had been caught in possession.
It might have been even worse for the Black Cats had keeper Craig Gordon not made a late double save from Martin Petrov and Benjani Mwaruwari, and Keane was in subdued mood as he assessed a disappointing afternoon.
He said: "I wouldn't say I am angry. I keep telling you, you have never seen me angry. You are lucky.
"Maybe some people, the players, the staff, plugged into the fact that we could maybe slacken off two, three, four, five per cent, and that's what we did today.
"If I had met you this morning, I would have almost predicted what was going to happen. I felt it in my bones because the talk all week was about us focusing on next season and everyone relaxing and blah, blah, blah.
"People need
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