McCarthy Remains Positive

"It's not bad luck that we are in our current position," he said after the 2-0 defeat at The Valley which leaves Sunderland firmly rooted at the foot of the Premier League table.

"I feel we have enough good players individually but collectively they are letting themselves down with individual mistakes.

"We keep letting goals in at crucial times and the second was a real comedy of errors.

"I'm pleased with our performances but not with the fact that we keep getting beaten.

"We've made far too many mistakes and are being punished for them. We've got to keep going but the task is becoming increasingly difficult."