ON THE PERFORMANCE AGAINST SUNDERLAND: We knew it would be difficult. We tried to play the best football we could to get the victory but unfortunately it was Sunderland who scored the second goal. At 1-1, I thought we would win. We had a good spell

ON THE PERFORMANCE AGAINST SUNDERLAND: "We knew it would be difficult. We tried to play the best football we could to get the victory but unfortunately it was Sunderland who scored the second goal.

"At 1-1, I thought we would win. We had a good spell and created some clear goalscoring chances but it wasn't to be on this occasion."

ON BLAMING DIMITAR BERBATOV'S OMISSION FOR THE DEFEAT: "It's not about individuals. The blame is with the team and we accept that blame together. Berbatov was not in the squad because he wasn't in the right condition to play."

ON the uncertainty over BERBATOV'S FUTURE AT THE LANE: "We need to get this matter resolved before the transfer deadline,

"If Berbatov goes, we will need time to sign a replacement. We want to have the best centre forward we can possibly get."

ON REPERCUSSIONS OF HAVING ONLY ONE STRIKER AVAILABLE: "Of course there are repercussions on the players. We were only able to play with one forward and we didn't have any substitutes for that one forward,. Players go through physical fitness issues that are good or bad, and this is a psychological issue. We've just got to deal with it.