MICK McCARTHY shunned his Sunderland players after Saturday's humiliating FA Cup exit but has now told them exactly what he thinks ahead of tonight's date with Middlesbrough.

When Boro travel to the Stadium of Light the fixture represents a meeting between two of the Premiership's most out-of-sorts teams, in the midst of relegation trouble.

Sunderland have won just twice in the league all season, while their North-East counterparts have failed to win in the Premiership since overcoming Fulham on November 20.

Boro were at least included in the FA Cup fifth round draw yesterday, after drawing with Coventry on Saturday, while McCarthy's men were still coming to terms with the shock defeat at Brentford.

It was the performance that disappointed the Sunderland boss as much as the result at Griffin Park and he insists there has never been a display like it this season.

Having held a team meeting with his squad yesterday, McCarthy is relieved to have cleared the air and is looking for a positive response.

"I came in on Sunday and took the players who didn't play out training. I did what I thought was the right thing," said McCarthy. "I wanted to think about it, watch the game again and have a chat with the players on Monday. I said what I thought - as always. I do have a problem sitting on the fence.

"You continue to learn about people through every game. I can't change my opinion on players after one performance. We have played well and competed this season, but maybe it's hard for them to compete every time when you are scrapping away and having to play at your optimum to compete in the Premier League. To be knocked out because of that is a real disappointment."

Given Sunderland's next match is a derby, just 75 hours after suffering cup woe at Griffin Park, there could have been a sense it had arrived too early.

Instead, McCarthy feels his deflated players will be in a better frame of mind now than if they had to wait seven days.

"When you play like that you usually can't wait for the next game to come around. It's a bit of a healing process," said McCarthy, whose side travel to West Ham on Saturday.

"If we beat Middlesbrough, there won't be too many mentions of the FA Cup for a while. That's the only way to get rid of that feeling.

"Wednesday morning could see a very different attitude around the place. That's why I'm glad we don't have to wait until next Monday. It would be very difficult to feel like I feel now for nine days."

As well as having the threat of relegation hanging over their heads, the two clubs are unlikey to have fresh faces arriving before the closure of the transfer window.

A nervous encounter could well be on the cards.

McCarthy said: "Both Steve and I have a chance to put some things right but it's all about which group of players grasps the opportunity.

"They have some great players, and the strikers have goals in them. But they have conceded a lot, like us. I can't imagine it will be free-flowing and high scoring. They won't want to drop into the bottom three. The pressure is on them."

Much has been made of how Sunderland are in a worse position now than West Brom where last season before they pulled off the great escape.

But, at this stage, Sunderland were actually only a point inferior to the Baggies total and for that reason McCarthy is refusing to give up hope of climbing out of the bottom three.

He added: "I knew it wasn't far away, but I've been looking at the stats all season. It may be an unlikely scenario, but it was last season with West Brom. We have to believe we can do it."

l Cash turnstiles will be open tonight for Sunderland fans.

Concessionary tickets are not available from the cash turnstiles and must be purchased from the ticket office, which will be open from 10am until 7.45pm.

The following cash turnstiles will be in operation: 7, 8, 39, 40, 47, 48, 55, 56.

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