ROY KEANE always predicted that managing in the Premier League was never going to be easy. For those who doubted his word, this defeat to Wigan offers a clear reality check.

For the second game in a row, following the euphoric win over Tottenham a week ago, the Black Cats failed to perform. This time, however, there was a difference.

Instead of coming away with a point like they did against a similarly poor Birmingham in midweek, Wigan were much the better team and Sunderland were run-ragged defensively.

Not even Paul McShane, the £2.5m buy from West Brom that has looked so impressive since his arrival, could thwart the Latics, who were deserving of all three points.

Under Chris Hutchings, who had masterminded a marginal win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday, Wigan are still expected to be relegation-fodder. Quite what that says about Sunderland's hopes of a top half finish remains to be seen.

Sunderland's passing was wayward, creativity lacking, while Emile Heskey and Titus Bramble were made to resemble England internationals.

Heskey's opener, when he was afforded too much space in the box, laid the foundations in the first half, and Denny Landzaat and Antoine Sibierski's penalties in the second half rounded things off.

It was Wigan's rewards for an energetic display, but this was not ideal preparation for Sunderland as they head into back-to-back league fixtures with Liverpool and Manchester United.

A Keane rollicking will be the order of the day and he is sure to push ahead with his recruitment drive, with a powerful centre-forward and a forward-thinking left-back high in his sights.