Erratic Sunderland have Martin O'Neil smarting

16 January 2013 07:50

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill bemoaned his side's lack of consistency after the Black Cats followed up Saturday's thumping victory over West Ham by sliding out of the FA Cup to npower Championship Bolton.

Two second-half goals from Marvin Sordell sealed victory for Dougie Freedman's men and left a frustrated O'Neill admitting his side only had themselves to blame for their "rather too meek" performance.

O'Neill said: "It was really disappointing following Saturday's excellent display, and we need to start getting some consistency to our game. We're going to have to get it. This is a big club and we shouldn't be spending 40 years without winning something, we really shouldn't."

He added: "We didn't take anybody lightly here tonight, we just got beaten because we didn't create enough chances in the second half.

"I know some people field weakened sides but we didn't, we tried to win tonight and we weren't able to do it, and that was very disappointing."

O'Neill admitted having some complaints over Sordell's opener from the penalty spot after Jack Colback was penalised for tripping Bolton's Darren Pratley on the edge of the box.

O'Neill said: "I've seen it back a number of times and I think it's rather dubious. It is a big moment, but Bolton put a big effort in and did very well indeed. It was a very disappointing night."

Bolton boss Freedman hailed the performance of Sordell, who built on his penalty opener by sliding home his side's second from close range 10 minutes later.

Freedman said: "Marvin has done very well for us. He is only a young guy and there is a lot of pressure on him with a big move up to the north then being called into the Olympic squad.

"With my experience of working with young players like Marvin, we got him back to basics and stripped down his game and he's started to prove what he is - a goalscorer."

Source: PA