APRIL is already looking a very distant memory for Sunderland fans.

The twin joys of promotion and winning the Championship are long forgotten as the grim reality of life in the Premier League hits home.

And with the August Bank Holiday still not over, games involving the Wearsiders are already being labelled as relegation six-pointers.

Some may say a little harsh but, judging by Saturday's performance, you'll struggle to find a poorer team in the top flight.

Fortunately for the Black Cats that side was Wigan. Sunderland can only get better and it is unlikely they'll again gift the opposition a goal inside a minute this season.

Some players run and hide after errors that cost their side a game but to Gary Breen's credit, he was happy to hold his hands up.

"It's very frustrating and hard to take," said the skipper. "I feel as though I've let everyone down, especially the players who showed tremendous character in trying to get back into the game and the fans who travelled down to support us.

"We bossed the game really, but my mistake has cost us dearly. All I can say is I'm determined to make it up to them. I find this a really bitter pill to swallow.

"We've played well again and I'm supposed to be helping the rest of the lads who haven't played at this level, not giving them a mountain to climb.

"I'm one of the more experienced players who was telling the younger lads the importance of keeping things tight early on and I'm the one who gives away the goal.

"I've apologised and I'd love to be able to get back out there playing as quickly as possible. Unfortunately we've got a two-week break now."

To say Breen's mistake cost the Wearsiders three points would be harsh, but it certainly cost them one.

The Republic of Ireland international's failure to deal with a big punt forward after a mix-up between the skipper and goalkeeper Kelvin Davis was compounded when Breen tripped Jason Roberts inside the box. The striker picked himself up, stroked the ball home and the Black Cats were on the back foot.

"It was a mix up in the first place (with Kelvin Davis) and I should have cleared it and then I should have known he'd be looking for me to stick a foot out in the area," said Breen. "I know better than that, but mistakes happen.

"I think we have played well and I don't think there is any doubt that they are going to get stronger and stronger as the season progresses, but this is not the start we wanted.

"There are a lot of young lads in the team and you can already see the improvement, but we would have liked to have some points on the board. We have to stop giving away that first goal.

"We're bottom of the table, but I don't think it's a mountain to climb to stay up. It's far too early to be talking like that. There will be people willing to write us off already, but we'll just get on with it. We'll take it on the chin."

They may not have dominated their opponents for the following 89 minutes, but Sunderland had the lion's share of the game and were only really under threat in the last quarter of an hour as they pushed forward in numbers leaving holes at the back.

The impressive Alan Stubbs had their first effort on target with his header from Dean Whitehead's corner after five minutes cleared off the line by Stephane Henchoz.

The best chances, however, were reserved for Jon Stead; Mike Pollitt denying him on both occasions in the 22nd minute and just after the hour.

The first created by Andy Welsh's direct running down the left. His ball was just behind the £1.8m signing and his effort from eight yards lacked power and Pollitt was able to push behind the post.

The second was far easier and should have been put away. The move was started by Davis and ended with Whitehead playing Stead in on the right of the box.

By the time the former Blackburn striker got his effort in from eight yards Pollitt was almost on top of him and saved with his legs. If those chances had fallen to arguably Sunderland's best finisher, Stephen Elliott , the result may have been different.

Unfortunately with Sunderland playing a near 4-5-1 formation Elliott found himself out on the right of midfield. Attacking midfielder Tommy Miller also found himself out of position in an anchor role, and the Black Cats problems don't appear to be helped by too many players asked to play roles alien to them.

That will be helped by Christian Bassila slotting into the Wearside's midfield, but with Chelsea next up in a fortnight at Stamford Bridge, things may well be getting a whole lot worse before they get better.

Result: Wigan Athletic 1 Sunderland 0.

Read more about Sunderland here.