Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is adamant his side can avoid the drop this season, but admits the squad will have to battle hard to do just that.
The Black Cats currently occupy the second relegation spot, sitting four points adrift from safety ahead of their lunchtime game with Manchester United on Saturday.
Allardyce's side last won a game back on January 13 when they beat Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, but one positive of late is that they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool.
Confident on avoiding relegation again
Sunderland flirted with relegation last season and the aim was to avoid that again this year, and despite doing that again, Allardyce is confident that his side won't go down.
"I think we can avoid the drop, but we are going to have to fight to the end now, based on the amount of points we need to catch up, and the games we have left," Allardyce said to Sky Sports.
The boss, who admitted he was unsure of how many points would guarantee survival, said: "It's been a long time since anyone got relegated with 40 points, but 38 might be enough."
Clean-sheets are a must from now
Allardyce claimed that it is important for his side to start and keep clean sheets in the league, stating that this is Sunderland's major problem.
The boss said: "Providing chances for Jermain Defoe is critical for us. But our first major problem is that we haven't kept a clean sheet in nine matches.
Allardyce emphasized the need to "start putting a zero against [Sunderland] in games" and then they will "win more matches".
He added, "If we win more matches, we'll get out of trouble."
New signings settled quickly
Defenders Jan Kirchhoff and Kone, striker Wahbi Khazri and former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper arrived at the Stadium of Light in the January transfer window.
Allardyce believes that each of the four signings have settled in well with the Black Cats, claiming it is a relief after he put his "neck on the line" at this stage of the season.
"All the new signings have made a good contribution and they've lifted the other lads here by showing the quality they have," he said.
He believes they "settled very well" and that the squad is "very good in terms of unity and togetherness".
Allardyce also commented, "They all seem to get on well together and they've accepted the new players in."