SACKED Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson believes the Black Cats are beginning to get it right - and predicts they will get a result against Wanderers on Saturday.

Reflecting on his departure he said: "I am not surprised by anything that happens in football but still felt profound shock when it actually happened.

"I came to Sunderland with my eyes wide open and knew we would face difficulties but still thought that they could be dealt with in time.

"Undoubtedly the situation we inherited was difficult. The team was already involved in a relegation fight when we arrived and our job was not made easier by our inability to bring new players in.

" I still believe that Sunderland is a club with enormous potential but there's lots of hard work to be done. It will take time and there will difficult and unpleasant decisions to be taken along the way. Steve (sacked assistant Steve Cotterill) and I were aware of that from the start.

"I am bitterly disappointed that we did not give the Sunderland fans what they wanted as the majority were very good to us. We worked as hard as we could and gave it our all.

"Ironically, I think our last game was one of our best performances and remain confident that the team will get a result at the weekend. I still feel optimistic about the future and wish the club and its supporters all the best.

"Football is also losing a great young manager in Steve but I'm sure he'll bounce back and make a big impact. The experience has not diluted my taste for management, if anything it has whet my appetite for more.

"I was still enjoying the challenge and hate leaving like this. We were committed to Sunderland in the long and short term but sadly we will no longer be involved. It's something I'm not used to."