HOWARD Wilkinson claimed he was still up to the job after Sunderland slumped to a fifth successive defeat at the hands of Manchester City last night.

With relegation now a clear possibility after the stunning 3-0 home defeat, Wilkinson kept his side in their dressing room for over an hour after the final whistle.

Then he said: "They are physically doing everything they can but belief and confidence is a massive problem.

"We struggled to put together any momentum because the further up the pitch we go with the ball the less expressive we become.

"The fear of failure is the greatest feeling they have at the moment.

"The problems are deeply ingrained. But what the club needs now is leadership which is not affected by all the possibly deserved hysteria which surrounds the results.

"It is very important for me to keep a clear head, stay focused and look at the things we need to do and work with them at achieving that.

"All I know is that as far as I'm concerned I am confident that my management skills are up to this job."