Singletary's positive vision for the 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO // Mike Singletary has a simple goal for the struggling San Francisco 49ers as their coach - take them to the "next level". Singletary was introduced to the media on Tuesday, one day after he was named as the replacement for Mike Nolan, who was fired seven games into his fourth season with the 49ers. Before accepting the job, Singletary said he spoke with Nolan, who told the Hall of Fame linebacker he would be "very disappointed" if he did not assume the reins of the flagging franchise.

"At that point it was very clear I was going to take the job with no hesitation - with his blessing," Singletary said. The team's assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator under Nolan says he does not plan wholesale changes for a team which is on a four-game losing streak. "It's a matter of stepping in and bringing it all together," Singletary said. "That's something I've done my whole life."

On how he could turn around the team's fortunes he added: "To me, the next step is not as hard as the first. Mike Nolan built the foundation. My job is to build up on it." Singletary admitted the quarterback position had been a trouble spot as JT O'Sullivan, in his first season, has had a league-high 10 interceptions. "We have to be more careful with the ball," he said. "But on the defensive side, we have to do a better job as well."

* PA Sport