Advocaat: Black Cats will improve
Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat has promised his under-fire players will do what it takes to win over the club's fans at the Stadium of Light on Saturday against Swansea.
Dutchman Advocaat, 67, has watched his side capitulate in their opening two Barclays Premier League matches this season with inept displays throughout his line-up being met with furious criticism.
Former defender Michael Gray, working for local radio, delivered a withering verdict after last week's 3-1 home defeat to Norwich, while Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer - a Newcastle favourite - has claimed the Black Cats are already "doomed".
Advocaat described his side's form as "frightening" after the latest disappointment against Norwich and held clear-the-air talks on Sunday with his players, who held a further meeting of their own later in the week.
"After the game we always have training and a meeting. This time it took a bit longer because the players could also say something," he said.
"During the week they had a meeting with only the players, but it's only positive.
"I understand a little bit the (media) comments and the articles, but normally the panic starts in March or April, but it seems to have started now and that's quite early."
Advocaat confirmed summer signing Younes Kaboul will play no part against Swansea due to a knee injury, while Spanish midfielder Jordi Gomez remains sidelined with a similar problem.
Swansea manager Garry Monk expects a "dangerous" Sunderland after their early-season problems.
"The last two games are out there, everyone's seen them, but I think they'll be dangerous," he said.
"I've been in positions before when I've put in performances that have been criticised and your reaction as a person, as a player and a team is to bounce straight back, especially at home in front of your own fans.
"I'm sure that's what they're going to do.
"There's probably a bit of a timing issue for us going up there.
"We expect them to be a lot more drilled, a lot more organised than they have been and a lot more determined.
"I think you'll see that in their game so we're expecting a different Sunderland side to the one you've seen in the last two games.
"The bottom line is they have good players and it's only two performances."
South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yueng remains a doubt with a hamstring problem.
Source: PAR
