Chawke - Squad must take blame

Co-owner admits it 'got too much' for Keane

Last updated: 5th December 2008

Chawke - Squad must take blame

Keane: Let down by players?

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Sunderland co-owner Charlie Chawke feels the players must take the blame for Roy Keane's decision to quit.

Keane resigned as manager on Thursday, with chairman Niall Quinn confirming the club had 'reluctantly accepted' the Irishman's decision.

The former Manchester United skipper stepped down after a poor run of results which had seen the Black Cats slide into the Premier League's bottom three.

Another summer of heavy investment was expected to see Sunderland push towards the top half of the table after Keane maintained their Premier League status last season.

Chawke is confident the squad has been improved over the past 12 months and believes the players have to shoulder the responsibility for the slump in form.

Failed to deliver

"There;s some really, really fine players and I thought this year we were better than last year," Chawke told Sky Sports News.

"I just don't understand what has gone wrong. It's obviously down to the players - they're the ones who deliver on the pitch and they haven't been doing so."

The Black Cats' non-executive director also revealed that Keane is upset after bringing an end to his 27 months in charge at the Stadium of Light.

He added: "He's upset, he's very upset. I think it all just got too much for him.

"I'd like to thank him personally and on behalf of the Drumaville consortium."

Sunderland head to champions Manchester United on Saturday and Chawke is urging the fans to get behind the team.

"Now I say to the people of Sunderland that your clubs needs you more than ever," continued Chawke.

"Stick by them, start to come from Saturday in Old Trafford and that's where to start to show the club really what you're made of. Stand by them please."