Sunderland 1-4 Bolton

Nov 30 2008 John Mathieson Reports

SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane admits he's no longer sure he's the right man for the job after a dismal defeat saw his team slump into the relegation zone.

It was the fifth home loss in the league this season for Keane's men and following last Sunday's reversal to West Ham the result puts huge pressure on the Irishman.

Keane issued a brutally honest assessment of his side's display and admits their sorry plight has made him question his ability.

He said: "I ask myself every single day if I am the right man for Sunderland. I asked myself this morning and I said I was. Tomorrow morning if the answer is no we will have to look at it.

"I'm the manager of this club and I'm responsible and I've never shied away from that. That's why I take full responsibility for this result and the run we're on and everything else."

But Keane - whose side went ahead through Djibril Cisse - admitted he was not angry over the series of individual errors that contributed to the heavy defeat.

He said: "I can't legislate for individual mistakes so stuff like that doesn't make me angry.

"We play with such innocence we make it hard for ourselves and seem to get punished for every mistake we make.

"It's such a harsh world. When you get in front you've got to make sure you don't lose the game."

Cisse put the Black Cats ahead in 11 minutes when he finished off a fine move involving Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque.

But in 17 minutes Bolton were level when Matt Taylor's header looped over Craig Gordon.

Wanderers then stunned the home support by grabbing the lead three minutes later.

Andy O'Brien launched a long free-kick into the box and the ball sprang loose to Gary Cahill who lashed it home low past Gordon.

Sunderland thought they were level on the half-hour when Cisse netted after Kenwyne Jones clattered the bar with a header but ref Chris Foy had blown for a foul.

Bolton made it 3-1 in the 38th minute when Danny Collins made a mess of a long punt allowing Johan Elmander to nip in and prod past Gordon. And the home side blew it again in 54 minutes when Dean Whitehead stumbled over a clearance and let in Kevin Nolan to feed Elmander who fired home.

The Swede should have had his hat-trick in the 74th minute when he was sent clear by Kevin Davies but this time pulled his left-foot shot just wide.

Bolton boss Gary Megson hailed his Swedish striker's display and believes he is finally finding his feet in the Premier League after £10million move from Toulouse.

He said: "Johan scored two fantastic goals so I'm really pleased with him.

"People have focused on the fact he hasn't scored enough but his performances have always been good."