Sam Allardyce has revealed that he is determined to prove Dick Advocaat wrong by keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.
Former Black Cats boss Advocaat claimed that his squad was not good enough to avoid the drop to the Championship, leading to his resignation following the club's failure to record a victory in their opening eight matches.
Allardyce was appointed as the Dutchman's successor and won his second game in charge by defeating Newcastle United last week, and the 61-year-old is confident that his team have enough quality to remain in the division.
"I like a challenge," Allardyce, told Sky Sports News. "When somebody says you can't do it, I want to do it.
"Dick says we are not going to stay up, I'm going to show him we can. I've got a steely determination when somebody says you can't have something I have to have it. I have the confidence in my ability too."
Sunderland face Everton in their Premier League clash later today.