Transfer news: Gus Poyet hints at Sunderland lacking squad depth

Gus Poyet has suggested that Sunderland's inconsistencies this season are down to a lack of depth in their squad.

It was another busy summer on Wearside in 2014 with plenty of comings and goings.

Poyet has, however, been hinting that further strengthening of the ranks was required.

With defensive injuries leaving him short of options, and coming off the back of an 8-0 mauling at the hands of Southampton, the Uruguayan says he can only shoulder responsibility for tactical deficiencies.

He said: “I’m a head coach. I don’t make the squad, that’s not my job.

“I’ve four defenders, I play what I’ve got. I’ll take responsibility at a set-piece – it was me, I pick the team and put it on the pitch.

He was fit when he arrived. If you saw him in training for the first few days he was very, very good.

“The rest, I’m sorry, I’m not going to take.”

One of those Poyet was able to bring in was countryman Sebastian Coates, and he has refuted any suggestion that the defender arrived on a season-long loan from Liverpool carrying a knock despite seeing him restricted to just 45 minutes of competitive action.

He said in the Sunderland Echo of a player who endured cruciate knee ligament problems in 2013/14: “I think the problem with Seba is what the injury is.

“It’s something very unique in a part of the muscle which is under another muscle.

“He was fit when he arrived. If you saw him in training for the first few days he was very, very good.

“He was running with Antonio (Pintas, fitness coach) and we were really impressed, it was a kicking action that was hurting him then. But when he was running he didn’t have any problems.

“It’s unfortunate for him being Uruguayan, being my first Uruguayan signing, it was always important to make sure he was all right.”