Sunderland boss Roy Keane steamed into his players after yesterday's 3-0 reverse at Wigan Athletic.

Keane also branded himself "stupid" for sticking with certain senior players as he snapped: "We didn't pass, we didn't tackle and we didn't defend. Normally you can take one plus out of a performance, but I couldn't find one from this.

"We keep giving ourselves mountains to climb. We got away with it in the Championship last season, but we can't afford to keep doing it in the Premiership. Even a blind man can see that."

And in a warning to established stars such as his former Manchester United team-mate Dwight Yorke, who was replaced at half-time, Keane added: "There is a fine line between loyalty and stupidity. I have been stupid. It won't happen again."