GARY BREEN has delivered a brutally frank assessment of Sunderland's promotion credentials and warned they are "kidding'' themselves if they think a return to the Premiership is a formality.

The Republic of Ireland defender pulled no punches after Mick McCarthy's side failed to beat struggling Rotherham United in a goalless stalemate at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night.

Sunderland, relegated with a Premiership record-low 19 points last season, have launched a determined bid to win back their top-flight status.

Victory over Rotherham would have lifted the Black Cats two places to second spot and left them only a point behind leaders Wigan Athletic with a game in hand.

But a combination of woeful finishing by striker Kevin Kyle and wonderful goalkeeping from former Sunderland and Darlington man Mike Pollitt, who never made a League appearance for the Wearsiders, forced Breen to admit: "It drives you mad this league.

"Rotherham did well, but we were lacking quality on the night. You wish we had the quality to unlock defences and win our home games. The same thing happened a week earlier when we were held to a goalless draw here by Cardiff City.

"But you can't keep saying that it was just another one of those nights.

"As a team, we have failed to do what we had to do. If we want to win the league and get back into the Premiership, we have to beat teams like these.

"We've dropped four points in our last three home games and it's not good enough. We're kidding ourselves if we think we're doing brilliantly compared to what happened last season.

"The mindset here has to be promotion, but we've dropped another two points at home and that could be vital at the end of the season.

"You can't keep harping on about what happened last year because this is a new-look team and we should be good enough to get promoted.''

Scottish international Kyle, leading scorer this season with seven goals, was a target for the fans' frustrations.

But Breen said: "Their keeper pulled off a couple of good saves. Kevin has been fantastic this season and I don't think it was a personal thing with the fans.

"I don't think any player should be singled out and it's disappointing when you hear that sort of thing.

"But you can understand the fans' frustrations. We've worked very hard to get the fans back on our side, but their frustrations are justified after this.''

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