DARREN WILLIAMS last night begged Sunderland fans to lay off Michael Gray after the captain was targeted by the Stadium of Light boo boys against Bolton Wanderers.

Gray was jeered by supporters angry at his involvement in Bolton's first goal - when Jay Jay Okocha picked up his poor clearance and then beat the 28-year-old before his cross was diverted into the net by Thomas Sorensen.

It was a miserable way for Gray to mark his 401st appearance for the club - equalling Charlie Hurley's total - and he seemed shaken when Mick McCarthy comforted him as he left the field after the final whistle.

Williams confirmed he had heard the abuse aimed at his teammate, who made his first-team debut for Sunderland in 1992.

But he added: "I don't think you can blame one person; it's a team game and we're all in it together.

"Yes, Okocha went past Michael, but how many defenders in the Premier League never let someone past them? You can't stop everyone from going past you.

"I think it was a bit harsh on him because I thought he had a really good game."

McCarthy also lent his support to Gray after the former England international became the latest Sunderland player, after Kevin Kilbane and Phil Babb, to be subjected to catcalls from his own fans this season.

The new Black Cats manager said: "Michael Gray is a left-back, but I asked him to play on the left of midfield for me and he did so without a whinge.

"I asked him to play at right-back at half time and he did it without any moans at all, even though he's left footed.

"It can affect players if they get a bit of frustration from the crowd, but they can't allow it to affect them.

"You get anxious when things aren't going right for you, but I think they had a go at playing."

Williams, who made his first appearance for eight weeks on Saturday, admitted Sunderland's plight is taking its toll on him and his colleagues.

They have picked up just one Premiership point this season, and Williams said: "We're as down as the fans are. It's no laughing matter for us.

"When we go home, we think about it and dwell on it, and we've got to come in with smiles on our faces and work hard before the game on Saturday.

"I felt as though we were more confident before the Bolton game and I felt as though we played some good stuff at times.

"But we were hit by a couple of team errors, which is part and parcel of our season.

"The manager has said we can't have been unlucky for 30 games. We've let too many errors creep in and it's killed us off again."

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