MICK McCarthy has urged Sunderland's boo-boys to lay off his players ahead of tomorrow's crucial home game with Aston Villa and asked them to direct their insults at him instead.

The Black Cats' last outing at the Stadium of Light ended acrimoniously, with a 4-1 humbling by Portsmouth being accompanied by a crescendo of boos and abuse.

Much of the fans' fury was directed at goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, but a sizeable section of the crowd jeered the entire team as they trudged from the field.

McCarthy understands the sentiment behind the supporters' response but, with Villa just one point clear of the drop zone, is desperate to avoid tomorrow's game degenerating into another slanging match.

The manager has claimed ultimate responsibility for his players' performances and, if things go wrong, admits he should be the one coming under fire.

"The players are my responsibility," said McCarthy, who is looking to halt a run of five successive defeats this weekend. "I brought the players to the club and I'm the one who is ultimately responsible for their performance.

"If I could say one thing to the fans, it would be 'stay with the players'. Please don't get on their backs because, if you do, it doesn't make it any easier. In fact, it makes it a damn sight harder.

"This is a young team and I've heaped responsibility on them. That makes it hard for them and I don't want them to feel it's tough to play in front of their own fans.

"If the results aren't right, then stay at the back and boo me. Give some stick to me because I'm the one that's responsible."

International week might have ended, but McCarthy is set to turn to Sunderland's 'French connection' in an attempt to halt his side's poor run.

Tough-tackling midfielder Christian Bassila will offer some much-needed protection to the back four after shaking off a hamstring problem, while striker Anthony Le Tallec is poised to make only his third Premiership start of the season alongside Stephen Elliott.

Le Tallec has struggled to make an impact since moving on a season-long loan from Liverpool in the summer, but his recent displays for France Under-21s underlined his goal-scoring potential.

Last weekend's strike against England was his fourth goal for his national side this season and, while he has spent most of his Sunderland career on the sidelines, he still boasts two goals from his four starts.

That ratio is better than any of his team-mates and, with both Andy Gray and Jon Stead failing to fire in recent weeks, Le Tallec could be given a chance to stake his claim.

"Anthony's shown he can play as an out-and-out striker and he might well get the chance to prove it on Saturday," said McCarthy.

"Everbody wants to play in the team, everybody thinks they should be playing in the team, and yet here we are bottom of the league. They've all had a chance.

"Anthony scored a very good goal in the week and is pressing hard for a start. I thought him and Stephen Elliott were excellent when they came on against Arsenal. It looked like a partnership with a lot of potential."

* Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has promised to put sentiment to one side when he returns to the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

After scoring 130 goals in 235 games for the Black Cats, the former England international has admitted he may have to keep his emotions under wraps if he finds the back of the net for his current employers.

"I've got to forget my ties with them (Sunderland) for 90 minutes," said Phillips, who was sold by McCarthy to Southampton after Sunderland's relegation in 2003. "I'm sure that everyone up there will understand.

"If selected, once I cross over that line I'll be doing my best for Villa and trying to score the winning goal.

"If I score, I will probably put my arms up but I don't know - it's one of those things.

"I'll see how I play it. I might score the winner in the 90th minute. I'd have to control myself then."

* Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is hoping to be given funds in the January transfer window to strengthen his squad.

Bruce has a proven record of bringing in players mid-season since the window was introduced three years ago after signing the likes of Matthew Upson, Jamie Clapham, Stephen Clemence, Christophe Dugarry and Jermaine Pennant.

He would like an injection of new blood if the money can be made available by co-owner David Sullivan.

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