MICK McCarthy is desperate to avoid racking up his own 'dirty dozen' this evening, but the Sunderland boss has insisted the club's run of 11 consecutive Premiership defeats is a poor reflection of reality.

Prior to the start of this season, McCarthy's only previous top-flight experience came in 2003, as the Black Cats created Premiership history by finishing with a record low of just 19 points.

The former Republic of Ireland boss was in charge for the final nine games of that campaign - all of which Sunderland lost - and his personal losing run now extends even further following this month's defeats to Charlton and Liverpool.

This evening's home game with Manchester City offers the latest opportunity to break his Premiership duck but, while the Black Cats boss accepts his side desperately need to get points on the board following their slow start, he is unhappy with the way their winless run has been portrayed.

Last season's Championship success has been largely ignored in the rush to hurl a succession of sorry statistics McCarthy's way, creating the impression of a club stuck in a rut rather than one gradually finding its feet in the top-flight.

"It's getting right up my nose," raged the Sunderland manager, who completed his 11th signing of the summer yesterday when French midfielder Christian Bassila signed a two-year deal to complete a free transfer move from Strasbourg.

"People are adding the record on from two years ago and that is compounding the fact that we've lost two games anyway. It makes it worse and worse.

"What we did in the Premiership two years ago has no bearing on this season. What I had for breakfast three weeks ago doesn't affect what I'm going to do today.

"I've not seen anybody add my record on from the Championship. Put up our record from the last two years and it will compare with anybody in the country. Nobody's saying it's four defeats in 15 games.

"But it's important we get points for this season as soon as possible. We want to get a bit of comfort by getting the points on the board and it would be nice to get the monkey off my back as well."

While Sunderland's opening-day defeat to Charlton highlighted the size of the task that confronts them, last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Liverpool at least provided grounds for optimism.

The Black Cats looked far tighter at the back thanks to the introduction of the evergreen Alan Stubbs, while Andy Welsh offered a constant threat on the left wing before his controversial dismissal following an innocuous clash with Luis Garcia.

Sunderland's appeal against referee Barry Knight's decision will be heard at lunchtime today and, should the FA overturn the dismissal, Welsh will be available for this evening's game.

A less favourable outcome will see the former Stockport youngster banned for three games and, while video evidence seems to rule out any violent intent, a recent FIFA directive has urged governing bodies only to overrule red cards in the most exceptional of circumstances.

Welsh's youthful exuberance has stood him in good stead, but McCarthy is hoping the introduction of 27-year-old Bassila will add some much-needed know-how to the ranks.

"He's (Bassila) a defensive midfielder who can play in the back four, he's played the last three seasons at Strasbourg and I'm sure he'll come in and help us in that respect," said McCarthy.

Full-back Nyron Nosworthy is also looking for his team-mates to learn from their mistakes as they attempt to contain a Manchester City attack boasting England internationals Andy Cole and Darius Vassell.

"We can't afford to give the ball away because, if you give it away, it's going to come straight back at you," said Nosworthy, who will continue at right-back in place of the injured Stephen Wright.

"Instead, we have to have the confidence to pass the ball around and look to keep possession whenever we've got it. If you're patient, you'll get a chance."

* Alan Stubbs has revealed that he left Everton because the club wanted to cancel his contract if he suffered a cancer relapse.

The 33-year-old, who has beaten testicular cancer twice, claimed he opted to join Sunderland after Everton refused to drop a clause in his new deal which would have left him jobless if his illness flared up again. Everton have denied the claim.

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