Niall Quinn tries to lift the gloom at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn apologised to Sunderland fans after the team’s performance in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Newcastle beat Sunderland by 5-1 and Quinn was adamant that the board, staff and players had to accept responsibility for the poor display.
"It is entirely appropriate that we apologise to our fans. Whilst acknowledging the hurt that this defeat has caused, I would like to emphasise that everyone at this club will face the music together,” added Quinn.
The result was Sunderland’s worst defeat in a derby for 54 years. Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick, while Shola Ameobi scored two goals. Darren Bent pulled back a consolation goal for Sunderland.
The Sunderland chairman echoed comments by manager Steve Bruce that the performance was not good enough, but Quinn asked the players to react to the derby loss when they host Stoke City at the Stadium of Light in their next Premier League fixture.
"While everybody here is suffering, the players' hurt must be galvanised into a big performance on Saturday. I'm not asking anyone to have sympathy for us but we are confident that the solution will be found within the walls of our dressing room,” added
Quinn.
Sunderland had gone into the derby full of confidence on the back of a several game unbeaten run including a win over Manchester City and draws with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
The chairman admitted that the club had a lot to do to make amends for the embarrassing defeat to their local rivals, but Quinn was adamant that the club would make progress.
"Last night, the owner and myself sat and reflected on the day's events and we are as defiant as ever that this club is going to make progress," Quinn stated.
"We may have to spend a long time apologising but this entire football club knows that it owes its people right now and, for me, that is the priority."
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