The former Everton, Manchester City and Oldham boss feels that with Sunderland faltering of late, his side has every chance to take the third spot which seemed to be Sunderland's a few weeks ago.
“We never gave up thinking that we could finish third. We were written off after the Millwall game but we have come back again." he told the East Anglian Daily Times.
“We keep getting written off, after six games we were the worst team in the club's history then we were going to do it, then after three defeats in a row we were failures again so I can only marvel at the spirit.
“This is not a time to be faltering. We had our falter which was seven games ago when we lost three in a row. I'm pleased we are in good form and we have a chance to win, make it nine out of ten and that is the target. I would love to finish in third place.”