Keane calls for reaction

Black Cats boss issues rallying call

Last updated: 30th November 2007

Keane calls for reaction

Keane: Wants reaction

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Sunderland boss Roy Keane wants a reaction from his side against Derby on Saturday to erase the memory of last weekend's painful defeat to Everton.

The Black Cats were humbled 7-1 at Goodison Park as they were given a harsh introduction to life back in the top flight.

Keane hopes his players have learnt lessons from the defeat and he has urged them to defend better against Derby

"We want a reaction against Derby," said Keane. It is a home game with 40,000 Sunderland fans behind us it is the place we want to be.

"Obviously last weekend was a major disappointment for everyone at the football club.

"We hope it was a one-off but you have got to do the basics well in any game of football and we know we have got to defend better than we certainly did last week.

"I have to take responsibility for that.

"The way we approach games home and away is very much let's get at teams and we have got to take a lesson from last weekend.

"Sometimes your mindset has to be different in terms of being hard to beat. Even at 4-1, 5-1 last week we kept getting people forward and that was maybe a little naive from myself and the team

"We learnt a harsh lesson last weekend but the Premiership teaches these lessons.

"But as long as we learn from it that will be the most important issue for me

"We didn't really over analyse last week. It was a really poor performance but we have got decent lads there is no questioning the spirit and desire of the players

"We need to defend better as a team we certainly did not do that last weekend.

"We have got Derby at home who are not having the best of times, like ourselves, so maybe it is what you class as a six-pointer."