Phil Bardsley

By The Black Cats
April 27 2009

Sunderland stand-in skipper Phil Bardsley didn't hold back when assessing his side's performance in the 3-0 defeat at West Brom. The right-back, who has captained the side for the last three games, looked shell-shocked with the outcome at the Hawthorns. Goals from Jonas Olsson, Chris Brunt and Juan Carlos Menseguez dragged the Black Cats back into the fight at the bottom.

And with four games left, they are likely to need another win at least to secure their Premier League status.

"We weren't good enough and we've been punished," said Bardsley. "It was a perfect opportunity to get some points, it's bitterly disappointing.

"You can look all over the pitch - we've all got to hold our hands up. If we are to survive in this league, we've got to be much better than that.

"We were second to most things and you're not going to get a result in the Premier League playing like that. It was a shambles.

"It's difficult to know what to say; too many people weren't at the races. Hopefully we won't see another performance like that, we have let people down."

Sunderland face FA Cup finalists Everton at the Stadium of Light next Sunday in what will be another pressure game.

"As disappointing as it was, we can't dwell on it, we have to take it on the chin and move on," said Bardsley, the former Manchester United defender.

"We need to improve massively, we have to roll up our sleeves and have a go next week. We owe the fans and we've got to produce against Everton.

"It's going to be a bit of a long week, but it's up to us to work hard, lift ourselves and get the preparation right."

Everton will be without their semi final hero defender Phil Jagielka after he suffered a serious knee injury in Everton's game with Man City at the weekend.