article: Dick Advocaat has refused to rule out staying on as Sunderland boss beyond the end of this season. The 67-year-old has signed a nine-game deal with the Black Cats and celebrated his first home match with a 1-0 victory over North-East rivals Newcastle last weekend. That result moved Sunderland three points clear of the bottom three and, with supporters having taken a liking to the affable Dutchman, he is open-minded when it comes to his future. Dick Advocaat has refused to rule out staying at Sunderland beyond the end of this season . Jermain Defoe (centre) scored a stunning goal to give Sunderland a win over fierce rivals Newcastle last week . Advocaat does not want speculation regarding his future to overshadow Sunderland's survival attempts . ‘My situation is not important,’ he said ahead of today’s visit of Crystal Palace. ‘The most important thing is the team improving. I’m a demanding manager, players can always do more. ‘We will wait and see with my situation but I am enjoying every minute of this. ‘The four years at Rangers were the best of my life, the way I could live my life. I have worked all over the world, but that admiration from the fans and the people at the club, I liked that. ‘I enjoyed last weekend and I expected that atmosphere. The fans were unbelievable. Hopefully that will be the same against Palace.' Of the instant rapport with the club’s fans, Advocaat said: ‘I’m not being arrogant but that is a normal situation for me. At the clubs I have worked at and the prizes I have won, that is normal for the fans to feel that way. ‘But it is good to be back in club management. I enjoy working with people.’ Meanwhile, Advocaat has given his players a five-game survival target. Sunderland finish the season with trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, and the boss said: ‘We have those last two away games to end the season so ideally we have to do it (safety) in the next five games. ‘The most important of those five games is against Crystal Palace, because it is the next one. ‘If we get a good result against Palace, the thinking might change as to how many points we need. We have to do it week by week and it's important to win the home games. It's better to do it game by game rather than look too far ahead.’ Advocaat congratulates Defoe on his goal against Newcastle and now targets a win over Crystal Palace . Advocaat has given Sunderland a five-match survival aim as the last two games are at Arsenal and Chelsea . That result moved Sunderland three points clear of the bottom three and, with supporters having taken a liking to the affable Dutchman, he is open-minded when it comes to his future. ‘My situation is not important,’ he said ahead of today’s visit of Crystal Palace. ‘The most important thing is the team improving. I’m a demanding manager, players can always do more. ‘We will wait and see with my situation but I am enjoying every minute of this. ‘The four years at Rangers were the best of my life, the way I could live my life. I have worked all over the world, but that admiration from the fans and the people at the club, I liked that. ‘I enjoyed last weekend and I expected that atmosphere. The fans were unbelievable. Hopefully that will be the same against Palace.' Of the instant rapport with the club’s fans, Advocaat said: ‘I’m not being arrogant but that is a normal situation for me. At the clubs I have worked at and the prizes I have won, that is normal for the fans to feel that way. ‘But it is good to be back in club management. I enjoy working with people.’ Meanwhile, Advocaat has given his players a five-game survival target. Advocaat praised the atmosphere for the game against Newcastle and wants a repeat against Palace . Striker Defoe will be looking to lead Sunderland to another major victory at the weekend . Sunderland finish the season with trips to Arsenal and Chelsea, and the boss said: ‘We have those last two away games to end the season so ideally we have to do it (safety) in the next five games. ‘The most important of those five games is against Crystal Palace, because it is the next one. ‘If we get a good result against Palace, the thinking might change as to how many points we need. We have to do it week by week and it's important to win the home games. It's better to do it game by game rather than look too far ahead.’
highlights: Dick Advocaat 'enjoying every minute' of his time at Sunderland .
  He has given his team five games to secure Premier League future .
  Sunderland host Crystal Palace on Saturday and beat Newcastle last week .
prediction: Dick Advocaat has refused to rule out staying on as Sunderland boss beyond the end of this season 
   67 - year - old has signed a nine - game deal with the Black Cats and 
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