Fans: Get behind us

Grant Leadbitter says Sunderland must use next weekend's match against Manchester City to bounce back from a terrible performance in a 2-1 home defeat to Steve Bruce's Wigan Athletic.

Grant Leadbitter says Sunderland must use next weekend's match against Manchester City to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat by Wigan.

The Black Cats produced a scrappy display at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as they lost 2-1.

"It didn't happen for us and we need to pick ourselves up and get something at City," said Leadbitter, who scored in the defeat.

"We conceded two soft goals and we let ourselves and the fans down."

The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light quickly became tense and Leadbitter is urging the fans to stay patient, insisting the club is well equipped to pull away from the relegation zone.

"Wigan came to upset us and it worked," said the midfielder. "Some of our crowd got on our backs quite early in the game and it doesn't really help.

"we can't blame the defeat on that, but we have to keep playing our football. You are urged to get the ball forward quickly but it doesn't work, not in the Premier League; you have to be patient and play your football.

"The fans are just so passionate about the club, I know that. They don't like losing, but neither do we - we want to do well for Sunderland football club.

"Maybe we did let the fans down but it's gone now and we need them to stick with us, it make a big difference when they do."

(from SAFC.com)