Monday Mar 06 2006 14:43
Sunderland midfielder Liam Lawrence has hit out at the club's decision to sack manager Mick McCarthy.
Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City was too much for the board of the rock-bottom Black Cats to take and prompted them to axe McCarthy and appoint youth team boss Kevin Ball as caretaker manager.
Lawrence admitted Sunderland's results this season had been unacceptable, but questioned why the club waited until their hopes of Premiership survival were over before making the managerial change.
"I was very disappointed to hear the news. All the lads are gutted," the 24-year-old told Sky Sports News.
"Maybe things could have been done at Christmas. I don't understand the timing. It's come at the wrong time for us I think."
Lawrence was also quick to reassure supporters that the players had tried their hardest throughout McCarthy's reign.
He added: "We were all behind him. Lots of the lads owe a lot to Mick McCarthy - me definitely.
"We've tried our best and given everything for the manager.
"We've got to go on and pick ourselves up, look forward to the game at the weekend and do the best for the football club. That's what we'll do."
Have your say on this article