Sunderland AFC manager, David Moyes has said that he understands the frustration of some fans that want him sacked from the top job at the Stadium of Light.

Complete understanding

It has been far from the best start to Moyes' tenure on Wearside, with the Black Cats yet to win a league game, a number of injuries to significant first-team players, and remained rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

Their torrid run continued at the weekend with the 1-0 defeat to West Ham United, serious doubt has begun to be cast over Moyes' future in the North East, and ahead of their EFL clash with Southampton, the Scotsman said he understood the fans frustration.

“My message to them would be to say I totally understand,” Moyes told the Chronicle. “If you don’t win games, any manager is in trouble, whether you’re at the top or at the bottom."

He continued: “I do think the majority of people understand the situation we are in, but I don’t take it for granted that I can get their support."

Moyes concluded: “I have to earn their support and at the moment, I could understand if they didn’t see that because of our results. I can only tell them that we’re doing everything possible to get there. I’ll keep doing it until I’m told differently.”

Above: John O'Shea on the training ahead of Sunderland's clash with Southampton | Photo: Getty Images
Above: John O'Shea on the training ahead of Sunderland's clash with Southampton | Photo: Getty Images

Would be a big lift

It can be argued that the club's best performances have been in the EFL Cup, with the competition producing their only wins, defeating Shrewsbury Town and Queens Park Rangers. The Black Cats will look to book a place in the quarter-finals with a win over Claude Puel's side, and captain John O'Shea believes that a win will give the club a big boost.

“Without a doubt [it gives us a chance to build confidence ahead of Arsenal],” he told safc.com. “We want to win games as quickly as possible for everybody associated with the club – ourselves, the fans, and the management and coaches."

O'Shea concluded: “We especially want that win in the league, but if we can get a win in the cup and get through to the next round we’ll take it."

Sunderland AFC will take on Southampton in the EFL Cup at St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday, October 26 with kick-off at 7:45pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.