Cape Town - Sunderland manager David Moyes says he wants to be transparent with the club's fans as he looks to rebuild the squad into a capable Premier League side.
The Black Cats faithful have made their displeasure known of late due to some negative comments made by the former Everton boss.
After just three games, Moyes claimed his current squad will be in for yet another relegation scrap and now feels that unless there's significant investment during January, the club will be in the Championship next season.
Nonetheless, the sixth manager in the past six seasons at the Stadium on Light has defended his comments by stating he wants to be brutally honest with the fans to avoid unrealistic expectations.
"It is difficult to change," he told the Sunderland Echo.
"I could come out and be singing and dancing and say all good things, but the truth is I haven't had many positive things to talk about. That is a fact.
"I would rather come out and tell the truth. I would rather not kid the supporters.
"Sunderland supporters are knowledgeable and have been brought up with really good football through their grandfathers and their fathers and the history at the club.
"They don't want me to come out with things that aren't true. They would rather me be honest and straightforward.
"This part of the world is a bit like that," the Scot added. "A man is a man, if you like, and you tell them what the situation is.
"That is the way I choose to manage and the way I choose to speak."