Keane accepts blame for loss

Black Cats boss vents his frustration after heavy defeat to Bolton

By Laura Slatcher   Last updated: 29th November 2008

Keane accepts blame for loss

Keane: Admits responsibility

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Sunderland manager Roy Keane did not hide his frustration after his side's 4-1 defeat to Bolton but held reserved praise for the commitment of his players.

Keane's side went in 3-1 down at the break despite Djibril Cisse's opening goal from close range after 11 minutes.

Matt Taylor equalised for Bolton before Gary Cahill put the visitors in front and two from Swedish striker Johan Elmander condemned Sunderland to their third successive home defeat.

The Black Cats boss made his disappointment known but was keen to commend his side's work ethic as they attacked until the final whistle.

"I thought we were poor again and individual mistakes have cost us three of the four goals," Keane told Sky Sports.

Confidence

"I've said it many times before that teams open us up and score good goals. We have to hold our hands up and say we're giving teams a helping hand.

"One or two of the players maybe lost a bit of confidence particularly in the second half, but they kept going and I was pleased with that side of it.

"It's difficult to be angry at individual mistakes because the players that made the mistakes have been very good for me over the last two, two-and-a-half years.

"We had some decent spells and some half chances but the goals we gave away just made it impossible for us to win the football match.

"There's lots of stuff to look at. What we're lucky with is that the players keep going."

Captain Dean Whitehead was at the centre of fans' frustrations receiving a chorus of boos when on the ball in the later stages of the game.

Frustration

Keane insists he understands the concerns of the fans but acknowledges that blame should ultimately lie with him.

"Towards the end the fans were obviously getting frustrated," added Keane. "Obviously the fans are going to voice their frustrations and it's up to the players to deal with that.

"They're always going to boo maybe one or two individuals, especially the lads that make the mistakes.

"The players have got to be brave and not be afraid to make any mistakes. The mistakes we made today were in bad areas of the pitch. I'm the one that should probably be held responsible."