HOPEFUL Kevin Kilbane wants Sunderland to turn into the Nasty Boys as they bid to claw themselves away from relegation.

The 3-1 defeat at home to Charlton on Saturday saw the Black Cats drop to bottom in the Premiership. And Kilbane has called for all of his teammates to join him in giving the fans on Wearside exactly what they want - a dose of never-say-die commitment.

"We will do whatever we need to do to get out of this mess," said the midfielder. "We will bite, kick, scrap and be as nasty as we need to be to keep this club where it belongs - in the Premiership.

"That's what people want to see in this situation. The supporters get to their feet every time we contest a 50-50 challenge. They love fighters and that's what we're prepared to be." Sunderland have only won three times at the Stadium of Light in the League this season - against Liverpool, Tottenham and Aston Villa - and before the weekend the supporters had started to turn on their fallen heroes.

Shortly before half-time against the Addicks - with the score 3-0 to the visitors after an unbelievable three own goals - certain spectators began to direct their frustrations at manager Howard Wilkinson.

But it was a different story after the restart, as the vast majority of the 36,000 plus crowd began to give the top-flight strugglers their backing. Now, after believing they have won over many doubters in the stands, Kilbane admits every member of the squad is convinced that Sunderland can now get out of trouble.

And he revealed that should any player step forward and suggest otherwise then that man should not be allowed in the dressing room. "We weren't performing at home, we weren't giving the fans what they were paying their money for," he said.

"The crowd are now behind us 100 per cent. I thought the Southampton game was as low as it would get but after the first half against Charlton it was extremely disappointing. The manager lifted us at half-time and he didn't think it was time to point the finger at anyone.

"If there is one doubter among us it could be like a disease. Each and everyone of us has to believe and does believe we can get out of it. It has to come down to believing in each other and team spirit if that doesn't shine through we will go under."

Many of the Sunderland team, Wilkinson and chairman Bob Murray have spoken of the fear factor instilled in the squad every time they play in front of their own fans. And Kilbane, more than most, knows exactly how to overcome that fear.

The former West Bromwich Albion man was singled out during a pre-season tour of Belgium and he responded by gesturing a V-sign to the boo-boys.

That led to more abuse and he felt scared to go out and perform in front of the Sunderland faithful.

But he said: "We have spoken about the Stadium of Light thing as a team and I held my hand up to say that I have been through it.

"There was a little bit of apprehension and nervousness in all honesty but now if I do make a bad pass I don't let it affect me.

"If the lads do feel they are scared they just have to come through it. We have got West Brom and Bolton at home and those two games are vital, they are sides we can beat."

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