Keane focussing on the task in-hand

Last updated : 17 February 2008 By TBC
With Derby sitting in an ugly 20th position and 13 points from 17th placed Birmingham, many people have written them off - but not Keane. The Sunderland manager doesn't believe anyone to be a safe bet to go down at this stage of the season.

He told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "You can't say that anybody has

gone just yet.

"Obviously, Derby are struggling but I won't write anybody off until they are mathematically relegated.

"You still have a chance until the mathematics tell you otherwise."

Sunderland occupy 14th position in the Premier League, and although their home form has dragged them away from the lower-reaches, they're still very-much in the relegation battle.

Keane said: "You have to expect the teams down at the bottom to pick up one or two points along the way. Fulham proved that by beating Aston Villa the other week.

"Some people were perhaps surprised that it came against Villa, but I wasn't particularly surprised - you can get good results against anyone.

"We just have to focus on ourselves and get points on the board. If we do that, then whatever the other teams do is irrelevant."