DICK ADVOCAAT has responded to a growing clamour for him to take over at Sunderland on a full-time basis after Sunday’s memorable scenes at the Stadium of Light by stating: ‘What did you expect?’

The vastly experienced Dutchman boasts ten major trophies on his glittering CV during a 28-year managerial career which has seen him take on 18 jobs.

But his Sunderland spell is only scheduled to last until the end of the season by which time he hopes to have avoided his first relegation by keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League.

Advocaat has won over the players in the first few weeks of his tenure and has already impressed supporters by leading Sunderland to a derby day victory over Newcastle United; which arrived after looking more creative at West Ham United.

Fans are already thinking about having Advocaat at the helm next season, although he remains on a short term deal with the only target being to keep the club up and his wife, Dieuwke, is said to be against him staying in the North-East beyond that.

When asked what he thought about the increased support for him extending his contract, 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, it is normal for the fans to think that way. It is good to be back in club management. I enjoy working with people.”

But he was keen to avoid talking up the possibility of staying. He is adamant his only focus is the task at hand ahead of a meeting with Crystal Palace this afternoon which could see Sunderland climb six points clear of the drop zone with six matches remaining.

Advocaat said: “My situation is not important. 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.

“I could have come to England after Rangers but the national team of Holland came for me. After that I went from club to club and country to country, and I never had the chance to come to the Premier League.

“My friend Frank Arnesen (the former Chelsea sporting director with strong links to Sunderland’s Lee Congerton) brought me here. I also had a chance to come here with Fulham, but it did not interest me.”

After witnessing Wearside’s passionate football crowd in full voice for last Sunday’s fifth victory in a row over Newcastle, Advocaat demands a repeat to help Sunderland achieve their goals under his tutelage.

“The players and the fans realise this is only the start, that is the feeling we must have because we need points,” said the 67-year-old, who is Sunderland’s eldest ever manager.

“I have been in so many big occasions. I enjoyed last Sunday and I expected that atmosphere. The fans were unbelievable. Hopefully that will be the same tomorrow.

“I don’t accept that it would be typical Sunderland if they lost after that because that’s what happens. Everything is focused on this game - that is not hard.

“I’m 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.”

With Seb Larsson ruled out through suspension for the next two matches after collecting his tenth yellow card, Advocaat made no secret of his plans to play Jack Rodwell in midfield against Palace.

The former PSV Eindhoven coach, though, does not expect Crystal Palace to provide Sunderland with an easy afternoon to collect three points having been impressed with the work of Alan Pardew, the former Newcastle boss, wherever he has operated.

“They are hard-working and very opportunistic,” said Advocaat, who was impressed with the Eagles’ victory over Manchester City on Monday. “They get a lot of players behind the ball and counter-attack. They have beaten many clubs away. We have to be clever.

“I met Alan Pardew in Spain when he was manager of Charlton. He is a good man and an excellent coach. They were training in Marbella and I have followed his career ever since. He did a fine job at Newcastle and is doing well at Palace too.”