AT a time when footballers are coming under heavy fire from all directions, Mick McCarthy reckons his Sunderland players deserve bouquets rather than brickbats for reviving the club's fortunes.

Sunderland could move up to second in the Nationwide League tonight with victory over Cardiff City after shaking off the hangover following last season's ignominious relegation.

McCarthy admits he was dejected after his side kicked off their League campaign with defeats to Nottingham Forest and Millwall as the Black Cats' slump since 2001 continued unchecked.

But seven wins in their last nine First Division games have lifted McCarthy's mood and left him dreaming of an immediate return to the Premiership.

With a welter of off-the-field controversies dogging the national game, the Sunderland manager wants his squad to be praised for their efforts after they justified his faith in them.

McCarthy said: "Footballers are much maligned at the moment, but the ones here are due some credit.

"They went through that two-year process of spiraling down the League, including those 12 months of a relegation season.

"Whether or not those players were involved all the time doesn't matter; they were still at the club.

"They then had those two defeats this season, and I think they have to get the credit for the performance at Preston that stopped that most unwanted record.

"But not only that, they then showed it wasn't a fluke because we've gone on to have a good run, and it's the players that deserve a pat on the back because they've turned it around.

"I wasn't a happy man after the Millwall game - ask my mate who stayed with me that Saturday night - but you have to carry on doing what you think are the right things.

"Life gets difficult if you start doubting those things, but I saw enough against Forest and Millwall to make me think we could do something in this division.

"I did sometimes wonder where that result was going to come from, especially after what happened in matches against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Chelsea last season.

"But I wasn't grumpy or morose on a daily basis, and the most important thing now is that the players have got that bit of self-belief.

"The lads have got the bit between their teeth and they're enjoying winning games, having been spanked so often last season."

McCarthy has tangible evidence of his side's success in putting the smile back on their fans' faces.

Just a few months after Sunderland supporters were ashamed of their players' efforts in the Premiership, they are once again proud of their club.

McCarthy added: "At Celtic, there would be people outside the ground on a daily basis, and the atmosphere was based on our results. There's a nicer feeling here now.

"I've not exactly been kissing babies on the streets, but when you're on a winning run you get people you didn't know supported your team coming up to you.

"I think people find it embarrassing to talk to you when you're losing, but it's a happy place to be when you're winning; you see more red and white shirts about, which is good."

Sunderland will still be without injured midfielders Jason McAteer and Paul Thirlwell this evening, though McCarthy said: "We're very hopeful Paul will be involved on Saturday."

The Black Cats boss claimed he was confident that Mart Poom would shake off a shoulder problem in time to line up against Cardiff.

Matty Piper and Stephen Wright will also be absent, but Alan Quinn could figure on the bench for the first time since his loan move from Sheffield Wednesday.

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