Sunderland is not a 'damaged animal' insists new boss Alex Neil as he looks to reverse slump

New boss Alex Neil insists Sunderland is not a 'damaged animal' despite the club's recent slump in form - and says it is up to him to revive the Black Cats' flagging season.

Neil was appointed head coach a week ago, and after drawing his first game at AFC Wimbledon last weekend he is now preparing for his first home game in charge against MK Dons tomorrow.

Upon arrival, he took over a Sunderland side that had won just one of its last seven games, and that was on the back of three disastrous defeats - the 6-0 humiliation at Bolton that precipitated the sacking of Lee Johnson, followed by a home reverse against then-basement side Doncaster Rovers, and then a defeat against strugglers Cheltenham.

Yet Neil says he did not find a demoralised dressing room, adding: "I didn't see anything that alarmed me.

"In terms of the attitude and appetite of the players, that has been very good.

"They don't seem down in any way, shape, or form.

"We've had a lot of one-to-ones and quite a few collective meetings, and they seem fine.

"I'm not trying to delve into too many psychological issues.

"We're not a damaged animal, we have just a blip in form and we need to get back on track.

"As we know in football, if you win your next game then everything looks a hell of a lot rosier after that so that's what we need to focus on.

"There's been a lot to do and it's tough when you've got a tight timescale in terms of games left, and you have to come in and turn form around.

"It's been a busy week for us and we've put a lot of information into the players.

"I've found their attitude and appetite to be overwhelmingly positive.

"There have been no negatives other than the fact that we have got some players missing, and their experience could