Gus Poyet warns Sunderland squad about their discipline ahead of Capital One Cup clash with Southampton

The Black Cats' boss unhappy after Lee Cattermole and Andrea Dossena received red cards against Hull City

Pointing the finger: Gus Poyet has urged his Sunderland players to improve their discipline

Matthew Lewis

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has told his players they must improve their behaviour on the pitch, if they are to remain part of his plans.
Andrea Dossena and Lee Cattermole were shown straight red-cards in the club's dismal first half at Hull City on Saturday and both are now set for three-match bans, starting with the visit of Southampton in the Capital One Cup tonight.

Poyet originally suggested the latter's reputation led to his dismissal, although the Black Cats boss says he will not give up on him. 

But he insists the players need to have a look at themselves and make sure there is no repeat performance.
The Uruguayan said: "We are human beings, the players on the pitch, and they are the ones who need to control themselves.


"We can talk and talk and bring in whoever you like, psychologists, psychiatrists or whatever, but then the one on the pitch is the player and the one who makes the tackle or the reaction is the player."

The disciplinary levels enforced by former manager Paolo Di Canio during his short stint in the North East, were widely criticised by the players at the Stadium of Light.

However, ex-Brighton boss Poyet believes the previous system, despite its problems, did improve the professionalism at the club, something which was so clearly lacking at the KC Stadium.

Your off: Lee Cattermole is given his marching orders by referee Andre Marriner at Hull City on Saturday

Matthew Lewis

 

He continued: "For me, it was a surprise. I need to analyse from the moment I came here, it was all right. I'm not saying it was perfect, but it was not bad.

"So many things happened in this game that I'm trying to take it as a one-off. Of course we need to talk about it and sort it out - it shouldn't happen again.

With the Black Cats lingering in the relegation zone, Poyet could be forgiven for switching his attentions from tonight's encounter, to the visit of Manchester City this weekend.

However, the 45-year-old insists a cup run could be the catalyst for the remainder of the season, although he isn't sure which Sunderland side will turn up against Southampton - such is the current lack of consistency at the club.

Poyet added: "It's another game, another important test against a very good team, so use it as another step forward.

"I don't know what is going to happen, I don't know what is going to happen on Sunday. First things first - let's play tonight and try to win."