Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio stands by his opinion that the squad isn't fit.

His criticism of players he inherited from Martin O'Neill was judged as an attack on how predecessor who was sacked nearly two weeks ago.

Di Canio said: "I was not disrespectful, it is my opinion.

"I have not said they are rubbish or not rubbish. I have my value and my idea of how the team can be fit.

"This team at this level in the Premier League can be mentally or physically Norwich or Manchester United for what they used to do in the past with a League Two side and League Two and League One players.

"We had some tests for players who have played at the top level for seven or eight years, simple tests, and we found one player with a real difficulty and that is not acceptable at this level, that is my opinion.

"So for the previous manager they were the fittest team in the world, for me, we are not the fittest team in the world.

"It is not against, it is my opinion. From previous manager. If di Canio says 'they were not the fittest team in the world' it is not 'O'Neill did a rubbish job'. It is consequences. It is different we can be much fitter."