Premier League: Sunderland boss must turn radio down

Gus Poyet is making his job more difficult by riling Sunderland fans

Michael Lintorn is worried that Gus Poyet is in danger of talking his way out of the Sunderland job...

Gus Poyet was known as "The Radio" during his playing days due to his fondness for flapping his gums, and he has become even more outspoken since moving into management (well, head coach-ery to be more precise).

Fans might forgive that propensity for brashness when results are positive, but with Sunderland on a run of one Premier League win in 12 - and four losses in five - right as Poyet made comments that will be perceived as scapegoating the supporters, it isn't a healthy.

A month ago, the Uruguayan angrily proclaimed that "I am not going to be a head coach when it suits and a manager when it doesn't" in an attempt to pin the side's proximity to the relegation zone on the men doing the buying and selling.

The arrival of Jermain Defoe earlier in January prompted a change of mindset, with Poyet saying that: "I am telling you there are no excuses now. I am responsible, so whatever happens from this point onwards is down to me."

However, in the aftermath of a dreadfully-received 0-0 home FA Cup fourth-round draw with Fulham, the former Brighton boss presented what could quite easily be interpreted as an excuse: "There are players who need the famous 'confidence' word for them to be better and when the stadium is not happy, the players don't express themselves."

Couple that with a dig at Sunderland's last beloved squad - "Niall Quinn and Kevin Phillips was kick and rush" - and some bold assumptions about the crowd - "I think the fans want Quinn and Phillips back" and "the fans are still living in the past" - and it no surprise that he has antagonised many.

It is important to clarify that he isn't faced with universal disapproval. Many believe that his feats last season, keeping the Black Cats up from bottom at Christmas and reaching the Capital One Cup final, should buy him time, and will realise that hastily dismissing Martin O'Neill and Paolo Di Canio didn't get them too far.

Additionally, while Poyet was clearly too critical of the Stadium of Light regulars, he did at least offer some concession by admitting that the negative response was his problem to fix. "It is up to me to find a solution to connect with the fans through better play... It is not nice to watch, I can understand that. All I can say is I promise you I will try to find a way to bring more excitement to the stadium."

Still, even if the 47-year-old still has his backers, the detractors are always more audible regardless of whether they are a minority, and he is working for a club who made mid-season managerial changes in each of the past three campaigns.

For that reason, 12.011/1 seems a massive price on Poyet being the next Premier League tactician to leave his position, with four other coaches available at shorter prices to be the next one jilted.

Sunderland host Burnley, who have lost just once in four league games, in their next match and the reaction will be ugly as an eyesore is another defeat is forthcoming. Poyet might have the answers, but every needless jab at the fans makes it less likely that he will be given the time to provide them.