I would boo us off too – Sbragia

May 4 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

RICKY Sbragia admits Sunderland squandered a wonderful opportunity to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation places following another disappointing performance in the 2-0 home defeat by Everton yesterday.

The Black Cats were booed off the pitch at half time and again after the final whistle and Sbragia admitted: “I would have booed them off myself.”

Having seen all of the teams directly above and below them in the table fail to win, Sunderland were still unable to rouse themselves and, instead of fighting for their lives as expected, Everton’s victory was an alarmingly easy one.

Although Sbragia defended his players and insisted they do care about the club’s plight, he also criticised their collective display as he pointed to a lack of confidence as the main reason behind the sloppy display.

Sbragia said: “I thought we were okay in the first half, but after we conceded the first goal I thought we could have got more out of the players.

“It was a great opportunity for us to put some daylight between us and the teams below us, but we have failed to deliver despite that incentive.

“I would have been happy with a point, we spoke to the players before the game and stressed that we must not lose the game, but unfortunately that is what we have done.

“I thought our decision making was poor and we were careless in possession. We seemed to accept the defeat. We were waiting for something to happen rather than going out and making something happen.

“We can not afford to rely on the teams below us not winning games. We need to do it for ourselves and we need to put points on the board.”