Costel Pantilimon wants Sunderland to exceed their usual Premier League showing
Gus Poyet's side are caught in their latest nerve-shredding battle against the drop ahead of Saturday's relegation clash with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.
Head coach Poyet was desperate for last season's stunning Great Escape from the bottom three to be a one-off in his long-term bid to establish the Wearsiders as a top-flight power.
But they go into the weekend just four points above the drop zone after another season of struggle.
Pantilimon wants the club to raise its sights after backing Poyet's side to come out on top in their latest survival mission.
Newspaper Review - Wednesday 11 March
We have players with quality and we need to show something different to build a stronger team for the future
Costel Pantilimon
Sunderland's Romanian keeper said: "Of course you need time for a project like the manager's to work. We need time to adapt and to have more ambition. We have players with quality and we need to show something different to build a stronger team for the future.
"But at the moment in this situation, it's important to continue fight to remain in the Premier League."
Pantilimon feels Sunderland are in a false position near the bottom of the table after a season blighted by a lack of goals. But he knows that counts for nothing in the remaining two-and-a-half months of another campaign to test the loyalty of fans to the limit.
The imposing 28-year-old former Manchester City stopper added: "Sometimes it's frustrating. If you look at our team, you have a lot of players who have won trophies, but what can you do?"
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