Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead has no regrets criticising his own fans over the atmosphere generated at the Stadium of Light.

"It was frustration after the (Wigan) game, but I don't regret anything that I said," Whitehead, who revealed he had only made his comments in public following a discussion in the dressing room, told The Journal.

"Obviously, though, I said it in the wrong way. That's gone now though, it's in the past and I want to move on and look forward again to the West Ham game and beyond.

"When the fans are behind us they are a great asset to the club and the players. When this team is winning I don't think there is a better fanbase in the country.

"We need to get them behind us. If we can do that, we'll be fine.

"When the crowd are behind us at the Stadium of Light and the place is bouncing, opposition players don't like playing there. If we can get that from now until the end of the season our home form will improve. As captain, sometimes you have to say difficult things. We did feel that as a group and I've come out and said it, but in the wrong manner. We have to move on."