HEAT’S ON MOYES
Under-pressure David Moyes was on the receiving end of more chants against him in Sunderland’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Swansea City.
Fans chanted ‘We Want Moyesy Out’ after Swansea took an early lead through Fernando Llorente’s ninthminute header, with owner Ellis Short watching on from the director’s box.
The first-half chants subsided, but they started up again when Kyle Naughton scored Swansea City’s second goal two minutes into addedon time, with further chants in the second half.
This was relegated Sunderland’s final home game of the Premier League season, but Moyes didn’t stick around to applaud the supporters at full-time, the manager moving quickly down the tunnel.
When asked why he chose not to clap the fans, Moyes said: “The fans have shown their disappointment at me.
“I didn’t want to make it any worse, so I got myself quickly down the tunnel.”
When asked how he goes about winning back the fans, Moyes said: “We didn’t play well. We are not saying anything different.
“Things disrupted that a little bit, the injuries in the first half didn’t help. Winning games is how you change it.
“The mood after Hull City was great. We tried to go out and do the same, but I really do think the first goal was going to be crucial.”
Moyes said the situation over his own future hasn’t changed, the Scot has three years left to run on his fouryear deal having arrived last summer with further talks planned.
Moyes will again meet with Short and chief executive Martin Bain after the season finishes at Chelsea to discuss plans going forward.
“Same as it was. Everybody can see we need to make big changes, big improvements.
“I’ll hopefully hear and understand a bit more in a week’s time when we meet again.”
Skipper John O’Shea led a small group of Sunderland players to applaud the fans at full-time but it was only around half the matchday squad.
When asked if Moyes was disappointed not all of the team were involved, he added: “I think it is more that everyone of them is aware of how disappointed we are for the supporters.
“We have not performed well enough. I am disappointed for the supporters – I know how they feel.
“This was the situation two weeks ago, it was always going to be difficult what reaction to give after the game.
“We couldn’t say more. We have thanked them all year, they come in their numbers, we praise and thank them when they go away from home and we thank them for everything they have done.
“The reason this is a great football club is because of the supporters we have.
“We are all embarrassed and disappointed.”
Jermain Defoe and Vito Mannone were the last players to leave the pitch. Defoe is available on a free this summer in the wake of relegation to the Championship.
Mannone is under contract but could yet leave the Stadium of Light as part of the major summer revamp.
When asked about the pair being the last off the pitch and whether it was an indication they are both leaving, Moyes added: “You know Jermain’s situation.
“Vito is under contract, unless he knows something I don’t know, and we’d need to be paid for him leaving.”