Sunderland goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter believes that recent results can help them move up the Championship table.
The Black Cats, who have earned five points in their last five matches, earned a goalless draw away at league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
The result means that they are just a point behind safety, despite being in 23rd place.
Ruiter said after the match that the team are full of self-confidence and that it can only lead to them moving out of the relegation zone.
“If you see how well together we were and how we performed like a team, the only way is up”, said Ruiter.
“We believe in what we can do; of course it has been and still is hard circumstances to play in.
“We are still nearly at the bottom of the league and we showed a great team spirit and defended really well together.”
Ruiter joined the Black Cats in the summer, after being released by FC Utrecht.
It was only the Dutch goalkeeper’s second clean sheet for the club, both of which have come during Chris Coleman’s four games in charge.
The 30-year-old felt that it was great to keep another shut-out and that it gives the team confidence.
He said: “For a goalkeeper and defence that is one of the biggest things in football to keep a clean sheet, but it’s also good for the rest of the team.
“That was one of the most important things and hopefully we can continue to keep clean sheets.
“It would be even better if we scored once to get to three points.”
Sunderland will be aiming to get their first home league win since December 2016 on Saturday, when they face Fulham, who were formerly managed by their current boss Coleman.
