Moyes: Sunderland need stability

Cape Town - David Moyes feels Sunderland need stability as he remains the only manager at one of the bottom six Premier League clubs to still be in his job this season.

Leicester, Crystal Palace, Swansea, Hull and Middlesbrough have all dispensed with their managers, with some seeing an immediate upturn in fortunes.

Leicester and Palace have both won their last three league ties, while after sacking Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moyes, though, who has overseen five wins, five draws and 18 losses, understands he is a target for criticism with just 10 games to save Sunderland's season.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "I think Sunderland supporters have been through it all before, and they would turn around and tell you that changing manager is not the right way – the club has tried that. 

“I think they have seen that it has not worked, and the club has had to look to try something else. 

“But when you’re not winning, you get the criticism that goes with it.” 

He added: "The supporters have been great, but if they weren’t then I would totally understand. 

“I think they understand that there has to be more stability.”

Meanwhile Sunderland captain John O'Shea has urged the club to pull together and support Moyes as they aim to avoid relegation this season.

O'Shea believes Moyes has led the Black Cats in the right direction despite the club sitting bottom of the Premier League standings, with 10 games remaining in the season.

Sunderland are seven points below safety, and O'Shea believes it's crucial that everyone at the club works together and gives the manager their best efforts.