GRANT LEADBITTER says it is important Sunderland’s players are “hurting” after their increasingly-disastrous season took another turn for the worse at Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night.

The 3-0 defeat that confirmed the Black Cats’ exit from the Leasing.com Trophy was bad enough, but it was the manner of their collapse at Glanford Park was the most alarming aspect of a bitterly-disappointing evening, with the concession of three goals in the final 24 minutes sealing their fate.

The travelling supporters chanted ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ as the players trudged from the field, and Leadbitter, a lifelong Sunderland fan, could fully understand their frustration.

The skipper was visibly upset as he headed into the tunnel, and having agreed to front up to the media, he pulled no punches in assessing his club’s current position.

“All proper people look at themselves,” said Leadbitter, who re-joined Sunderland from Middlesbrough in January. “As a group of players, we know we want to do better, and I’m certain we will.

“I’ve been through these times in my career before, and I think I’m old enough and wise enough. As players, we can go away from here and look forward to moving on - but make sure it hurts you.

“Losing football matches has to hurt and if it doesn't hurt you then... it has to hurt. We’ll move on, but in the back of your mind you have to think that losing games isn’t good - especially at Sunderland Football Club.”

With Sunderland not having a game this weekend because of international commitments, there will be a lengthy period of soul-searching before Leadbitter and his team-mates return to action in the league.

Jack Ross’ departure has not resulted in an upturn in performances or results, and with the Black Cats currently eight points adrift of league leaders Ipswich Town, and out of both the Leasing.com Trophy and Carabao Cup, there is a risk the season could drift away before it has really got going.

Leadbitter is adamant that cannot be allowed to happen, but admits it is important everyone sticks together to overcome what is proving to be a difficult spell.

“Losing football matches should hurt you as a player, and if it doesn’t, then I’m disappointed,” he said. “I’m pretty sure it’s hurting everyone. It’s not nice. Sunderland fans are angry, we’re losing football matches in League One, and then this.

“We have to move forward. That’s the only thing you can do. We have to make sure everyone from top to bottom is together, no negativity, and we're positive.

“You have to use defeats, but you have to move on quick. You have to use each defeat in the right way, but it’s not good. It's not good at all. Sunderland coming to Scunthorpe and losing 3-0, it’s not good at all. But one thing as a group of players, we have to stick together.”

Phil Parkinson also called for unity in the wake of Tuesday’s defeat, and players like the experienced Leadbitter are likely to prove crucial in the next few weeks.

The 33-year-old experienced plenty of ups and downs during his seven seasons with Middlesbrough, and was never one to shy away from his responsibilities, even when times became difficult.

“I think, from my experience, honesty and sticking together are big factors,” he said. “That I believe. The past couple of weeks haven't been great for the football club, with disappointing results, but you do have that.

“I believe that Sunderland Football Club, and as a group of players, the only way we will get through this is by working harder on the training pitch and by sticking together. And I'm sure we will. We've got a few days on the training pitch now and no game on Saturday, which I believe is a good time to go and work hard and instil that message into the squad.”