Keane "Were in a sticky patch"

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was full of optimism despite losing to premiership champions Man united in front of home full house.

Keane told safc.com "It's not nice to lose any game, especially at home; but we have been beaten 4-0 by a very good team."

"We started OK but we gave away two very sloppy goals - the first two."

"If you give Wayne Rooney that type of space, he's going to punish you, and for the second goal we were in decent possession."

"The third goal just before half-time was a killer blow, it was highly unlikely that we could come back and win 4-3."

"I was pleased with the way the players kept going and I thought our fans kept us going."

"You could say that United took their foot off the gas - it was a harsh lesson for everyone. United have good players, good movement, good touch and they punish you when you make a mistake."

"You always know it is going to be a hard game but when you go 1-0 down to United, it very tough."

"My money was on United to win the title and today has not changed my view one bit."

"Our fans were very, very good, and I'm not trying to patronise the Sunderland supporters - I'm sure they are hurting as much as me. They stayed behind the team, they supported us."

"The easiest thing for football fans to do is to get on players' backs and they didn't do it, we appreciate it."

"If anyone says that were comfortable losing 4-0 at home to United then they are mistaken. We're in a sticky patch - in a massive, massive fight without a doubt."

"I feel we deserve a few more points on the board but we haven't got them, that's the reality. We are where we are. The best team will win the league and the three worst teams will go down."

"I believe we are not one the three worst teams in the Premier League and it would be nice to back that up with some positive results."

"We are doing ok, we have lots going for us in terms of the spirit of the players and the attitude of the players."

"I thought Martyn did very well today. We have no doubts about him, he's a talented kid. Physically, he's strong, his touch is assured and we're delighted with him."

"We hope he will have a long and successful career at Sunderland. If you are going to make your debut, why not today?"

"He found out he was playing when I named the team, like everyone else. He looked assured and comfortable out there, especially in the first half. We changed it in the second half and we had to do a team job. It was a tough debut for him."


Vital Sunderland Says


The game against Bolton on Saturday is now a must win game for us and if we are going to have any chance of staying up we beat the teams in and around us.