Dean Whitehead blames the Stadium of Light pitch for Sunderland's dismal home form this season.

Whitehead has also admitted Sunderland fans were booing their side, which helped Wigan win at the weekend.

"Our pitch is the worst in the Premier League," Whitehead complained. "It is difficult to get the ball down and play fast, one-touch football on it.

"It is bobbly and has no grass but we have to deal with that, just as our opponents do.

"The fans were booing us and Wigan probably used that to their advantage."