Former Sunderland captain Michael Gray feels Paolo di Canio deserved more time.

Di Canio was sacked by Sunderland yesterday.

"I'm a little bit surprised," Gray told Sky Sports. "Ellis Short backed Paolo Di Canio in the summer and let him bring in 14 fresh faces.

"You obviously don't get time in the Premier League to let the players gel, you've got to hit the ground running and Sunderland haven't done that, but I still think he should have been given a lot more time than he has been.

"Paolo a few times came out publicly and criticised the players but at the end of the day they have a job to do. Paolo said last season they weren't fit enough and he's worked very hard on that in pre-season but it's all about results."