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Keeper believes more to come
CRAIG Gordon says he and his Sunderland team-mates now feel they are Premier League players and the confidence that stems from that will stand them in good stead this season.
The 9m goalkeeper was just one of a host of Sunderland players, new to the top flight last season, who felt they had a point to prove.
But he says the squad are now beyond that stage and with that confidence will come more capable and assured performances.
The Scotland international, who joined the Black Cats in a record-breaking deal on the eve of last season, said: "I feel much more settled this time around.
"Last season, I joined with just two days to go before the start of the campaign and went into the first match hardly knowing anyone, so it's nice to have had a pre-season behind me and be familiar with the players who are out there in front of me.
"They know me now and we all know what we're capable of as individuals and as a unit and that's a big help.
"There's also the fact that we know who we are going to be facing now when we come up against the teams we faced last season.
"We've got that bit of experience behind us and I think that is going to be a big help us.
"Last season, the Premiership was unfamiliar to most of us and there's no doubt that it is a help if you know what to expect going into games.
"I think you're at a bit of disadvantage when you're in that situation.
This season, though, we are a little bit wiser, perhaps more confident and we've added players who are totally at home at this level."
The 25-year-old, who will be in action for Scotland in tonight's Hampden friendly against Northern Ireland, is hoping for improvement for club and country this season, but he doesn't have a clean sheet target for the campaign
"I don't set personal goals," he shrugged. "There's no point.
"It comes back to that stupid cliche of 'taking one game at a time'.
"It's might be a cliche, but that doesn't mean it's not true and that's the way I approach my football.
"The only target that we should have at the club really, is to improve on our league finish last season.
"Overall. I was satisfied with last season, but I think there's a lot more to come from me.
"I will look to improve on last season but I have put that season to bed now.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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