FORMER Sunderland boss Lee Johnson has opened up about his side's 6-0 drubbing against Wanderers.

Dion Charles bagged a brace, with Dapo Afolayan, Kieran Lee and Declan John also on target, plus a Danny Batth own goal on a day to remember for Bolton fans.

Johnson was sacked by the Black Cats a day after the game, with Alex Neil later taking charge at the Stadium of Light.

He admits it was a frustrating way to end his Sunderland tenure and insists the players didn’t deserve such a harsh scoreline.

“The only regret for my whole time there is the fact I was still trying to win the game at 3-0 down at Bolton away,” Johnson told BBC's 72+ Podcast.

“And I think that final result, it doesn’t sit well with me because the lads didn’t deserve it.

"The lads had performed really well. It was our second loss in 15, it was a top points-per-game ratio of all the clubs in the 72 so the journey we were on was a really progressive, good one.

“Lot of new players coming in, a load of young players, we had just made three really good signings in the last week of the window and that bit is disappointing not being able to see the challenge through.

“Did I see it coming? There are always bits and bobs behind the scenes that are not quite right and a football manager at a club, it is a bit like a marriage.

“And as much as I loved the club and I loved the people there, we were moving in slightly different directions in terms of our principles and our decision making on how we saw the way forward.”

The Black Cats are currently sixth in the league table – nine points above Wanderers with seven games still to play.

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