Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has promised his underperforming players will do what it takes to win over the club's fans with a battling display against Swansea on Saturday.

The Dutchman held clear-the-air talks on Sunday with his players, who held a further meeting of their own later in the week.

"After the game we always have training and a meeting. This time it took a bit longer because the players could also say something," he said.

"During the week they had a meeting with only the players, but it's only positive.

"I understand a little bit the (media) comments and the articles, but normally the panic starts in March or April, but it seems to have started now and that's quite early."

Advocaat admitted his current squad could only hope to avoid relegation without the addition of some high-quality new signings, but he remains hopeful of boosting his options before the transfer window closes.

"One thing that I can say, which is 100 per cent, is we will become a better team," Advocaat said. "There is no doubt about that.

"Maybe we need a little more time than others but you will see that we can only improve.

"Some teams maybe are already at the top, but we are not.

"That is an element that we have discussed. This team has to go to the edge, fighting-wise, spirit-wise and we did not do that.

"If you don't do that, the players miss a lot and they understand totally that we have to fight from the first minute to the last minute to get a result, but also to get our fans behind us.

"We will do that on Saturday, there is no doubt about that."