Monday 20 October 2014 07:33, UK
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone believes he and his team-mates should reimburse all the club’s fans who made the long journey to witness the 8-0 hammering at Southampton.
The Italian has established himself as Gus Poyet's first choice despite the arrival of former Manchester City man Costel Pantilimon but he endured an afternoon to forget as the Black Cats suffered a humiliating defeat at St Mary's.
The Sunderland supporters continued to cheer for their players until the final whistle and Mannone says he wants to meet the costs of the 700-mile away day for the 2,500 fans.
"I will personally talk to the team to see if it is possible to pay for their tickets and their trip," he said.
I really mean that we should pay their tickets and travel. I will do everything possible. We should do it because we didn't put a foot in, we didn't work hard.
"I really mean that we should pay their tickets and travel. I will do everything possible. We should do it because we didn't put a foot in, we didn't work hard. We started the game well but after we conceded we threw in the towel and I include myself.
"It is difficult for us but it's very difficult for them as well. It is a difficult moment. We will go through it during the week. We will have time. The Premier League is really difficult. We have a tough game again at home, so there is no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We need to react.
"As I said they are special fans. We are really lucky to be at this club and have these fans. If it was me, I would probably not react in the same way."
Mannone insists things must get better when he welcomes his former club Arsenal to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
"We play Arsenal next week so at the end of the day, we lost 8-0 but we didn't lose eight games 1-0. Let's take it on the chin and go again because we have another 30 games," he added.
"We have to remember how embarrassed we felt and feel embarrassed for ourselves and take some anger from this game into the next one and produce a performance.
"It was a low point for anyone and possibly the biggest embarrassment for the team since I've been here.
"It was a difficult afternoon but we need to react. We have to do it for ourselves, for the club and for our great fans as well that came all that way.
"I take all the responsibility I can take for each goal. I will try to work on it and try to improve. Each one of us should do the same. To try to defend and be in a game properly as a unit. Each one of us knows there were mistakes on the field."
