Keane shoulders blame for Sunderland slump

Sunderland boss Roy Keane has taken full responsibility for his side’s 7-1 mauling at Everton after admitting he picked the wrong team.

The 36-year-old could scarcely believe his eyes as the Black Cats were taken apart at Goodison Park on Saturday and slipped into the Premier League’s bottom three as a result.

However, far from ranting and raving at his players, the former Manchester United skipper took the blame squarely on the chin.

He said: “It was a difficult weekend for me. I am disappointed because performances over the last few weeks have not been too bad.

“To defend as poorly as we did was a major blow and we have got to react in a positive way.

“In defence of the players, I picked the wrong team. Even at 4-1 and 5-1 down, we were attacking and we left ourselves wide open, and I have to take full responsibility. That’s what being a manager is about.”

Keane pitched skipper Dean Whitehead straight into battle after a three-month lay-off with a knee injury, while Dwight Yorke started his first game in seven weeks following a calf problem.

In addition, Dickson Etuhu was included after playing twice for Nigeria during the international break.

Keane said: “I probably called it wrong. I played Dwight in the middle of the park with Dickson.

“Dickson was on the back of two tough international matches and Dwight had been out for a month or more, so there’s no doubt that I got the team selection wrong.

“We changed it at half-time but even then, we still encouraged the players to get forward.

“That’s the way I like to play, but you cannot do it all the time.

“It’s a learning curve for me like it is for everyone at the club, but you cannot keep losing football matches and so far this season, we have lost too many.”

The trouncing at Everton came out of the blue for Keane, who had seen his side turn in a good display at home to Newcastle in their previous game, only to come out with just a single point to show for their efforts.

He knows his side must react when fellow strugglers Derby head for the Stadium of Light this weekend, but admits they may have to be more conservative.

Keane said: “I don’t know whether it’s worse as a player or a manager – it’s very different.

“Any bad result is hard to take and everyone reacts in different ways. As a player, you look at your own form.

“In the games we have lost this season, we have encouraged the team to go forward, but in the Premier League against a good team like Everton, you cannot afford to leave yourself open at the back.

“As bad as we were, Everton took full advantage and we were severely punished. You have got to be solid.

“I have looked at the stats and we had more possession. You could hang your hat on that and say it’s not too bad, but ultimately, we lost the game 7-1 and that is nowhere near good enough for Sunderland Football Club.”

The clash with managerless Derby gives Sunderland an early chance to repair the damage, and Keane admits he cannot wait for the game to come around.

He told the club’s official website, www.safc.com: “I wish we had a game before Saturday, but we just have to wait.

“Hopefully we will take out our frustrations on Derby.

“The players have a spirit and desire, they want to do well. I expect us to bounce back, and it’s important we move on quickly.”