MICK McCarthy last night admitted he was not surprised by the latest bout of speculation regarding his position as Sunderland boss, but pledged to keep battling despite yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Fulham.

Weekend reports linked former Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan with a sensational move to the Stadium of Light and, while the one-time England boss is understood to have ruled himself out of the running, McCarthy's future remains open to debate.

Birmingham's win over Wigan means the Black Cats are now ten points behind their nearest rivals at the foot of the Premiership table, having taken one point from their last 12 league outings.

Given such a shocking run of form, McCarthy is unwilling to condemn those who question the wisdom of extending his reign. But, with chairman Bob Murray having stood by him so far, the Black Cats boss is confident he is the right man to lead Sunderland through the second half of the season.

"I shouldn't be surprised at the situation when we're bottom of the league with six points," said McCarthy.

"It's not like I read something and go 'Ooh, that's a shock'.

"I can't do anything about it - let them all get on with it. I keep turning up for work on a morning and going into the gym with a smile on my face.

"I hope that helps to keep everybody else the same. You've seen the performance - I think it's working at the minute. Unfortunately, the results aren't going for us.

"It's about personal pride and having a bit of dignity in yourself. You have to keep going because, if you lay down and accept you are going to get beat, you won't get any kind of a performance.

"That has not been the case. We have played well and, considering the circumstances, the players have conducted themselves in an extremely positive fashion."

Nevertheless, the Christmas period has finished with successive defeats to Everton and Fulham despite performances full of vim and vigour.

The league table suggests Sunderland's fate is as good as sealed and, with runaway leaders Chelsea next up at the Stadium of Light, McCarthy concedes that relegation is increasingly being seen as inevitable.

"Are their people around the club who think relegation is inevitable? There are bound to be," he said. "I can't sit here, being as honest as I am, and say 'No, I can't believe that'.

"There will be, but while ever there are points to be had, we will keep scrapping for them. Nothing will change. That's my attitude towards everything."

Sunderland's attitude could not be questioned yesterday but, yet again, the Wearsiders shot themselves in the foot with some questionable defending.

Collins John was allowed to convert two close-range headers, while Steve Caldwell saw red for a professional foul on Heidar Helguson.

McCarthy felt the dismissal was harsh, but admitted his side were their own worst enemy as they allowed Fulham back into the game following Liam Lawrence's eye-catching opener.

"I don't think we deserved to be beaten," he said.

"I thought we were by far and away the better team in the first half, but I didn't think we defended very well for the first goal.

"I think Steven's unfortunate with the sending off. I've seen it two or three times and (Brian) McBride has done what I would expect our centre-forwards to do, he's cut across him.

"In doing so, Steven has clipped his legs, but he has not tried to. He has tried to get out of his way.

"Free-kick, maybe. Sending off, I think that was a bit harsh."

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