Phillips: We can beat the drop

The Black Cats have not registered a win since Boxing Day and with some teams below them showing improved form, Peter Reid`s men are being dragged into the relegation fight.

Phillips is aware that confidence is low, which is affecting form, but he is confident his team-mates will turn things around and stave off the threat of relegation.

Following the 4-1 mauling at Old Trafford, the England marksman said: "We didn't stand a chance at Manchester United on Saturday with the way we`ve been playing, our confidence being so low and the way they've been playing in the last couple of months or so.

"But I thing we`ll be fine.  We know we`re better than what we`re playing at the moment and it`s a case of trying to get the confidence up again.

"It`s not about us looking over our shoulders at what the other teams are doing, it`s about us doing our jobs properly."

Phillips knows they have to find form quickly, adding: "We have to start picking up points.

"It is a tough time at the moment, but we have enough character to get ourselves out of it."