MICK McCARTHY has told his players if they are to be relegated he wants them to go down 'kicking, scratching and fighting' and turn the managers of teams immediately above them into insomniacs.

Rock-bottom Sunderland go to fifth-bottom West Brom this evening with their manager demanding to see some pressure applied to the clubs near the foot of the league.

The Black Cats are searching for only their second three-point haul of the campaign, with the players buoyed by a spirited performance against champions Chelsea last weekend, with the resulting defeat merely summing up their season.

McCarthy has admitted he has already begun preparing for next season and the likely return to the Championship, but doesn't want to see his charges exit the top flight with whimper.

"We want to give those above us a few sleepless nights thinking that we just might catch them," said McCarthy. "None of the teams want to be beaten by us.

"Whatever happens - if it turns out we're not good enough and we get relegated - what we don't want to happen is that we get relegated with a whimper.

"We want to be kicking and scratching and fighting to the very end and picking up more points. We want to give ourselves something to feel proud of.

"We have not been poor. We have played well in games. But when we have had chances, we have not been clinical enough in front of goal and we have not taken those chances. We have also made mistakes."

Despite their predicament, the fans have publicly backed the manager, with the majority steadfastly refusing to blame him for the club's current plight.

During the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea last week, the Stadium of Light faithful even chanted their manager's name, with McCarthy believing his honesty is key to keeping the supporters on-side.

"It's really good, it's nice (to have the backing of the fans)," said McCarthy. "I don't think it happens too often and I don't think I could say that I warrant it, given the position the team is in or the points we have.

"Those things perhaps don't justify that support. But I think I do fully justify it in the way I go about my job and get everyone else doing their jobs.

"No-one ever has their heads down, the team spirit is still fantastic and we are still getting performances. If I'm doing the job to the best of my ability, I think I justify the support of people.

"But it's an unusual situation when a team is bottom of the league with six points and the fans are singing the manager's name.

"I do like it and I appreciate it. I think overall the supporters appreciate the way I go about the job.

"I'm honest, I don't bullshit anyone or tell them porkies (lies) about anything.

"I'm upfront and I think it's appreciated. They can see the way people here are committed to the place. That has to be a reflection on me."

The manager has also, in the main, kept the players onside, with the character of his squad ensuring they all remain pulling in the same direction.

McCarthy himself, takes credit for bringing the sort of player to the club that remains loyal, but also says when his team plays bad he's big enough to take the flak.

"If they were all doing badly and everyone was walking around with their chins on the floor, it would be reflected on me," said McCarthy, who has seen both Matt Piper and Alan Stubbs leave this week.

"If there's any flak flying around because they are playing badly, I take it. So if there's any nice things being said about them, I should take some of the credit.

"I think people are loyal to each other around the place. I'm loyal to the players and I think that's reciprocated.

"It has to be. If leaks start to come out of the place and it starts to get fragmented, then it becomes a difficult place to work at. It doesn't happen here. It's a nice side of it.

"They have shown a real loyalty to each other and to the club. Let me tell you: this is a fantastic club.

"The club is absolutely top-drawer - the club, the stadium, the training ground, the fans, everything about it.

"I said it three years ago when I came in, it's a proper club and nothing has changed.

"All that has changed is the status of it a couple of times. But regardless of that, it's a fantastic place and, let me tell you, players do want to play here. It's brilliant.

"I think about what might have been all the time. I'm a bit of a dreamer."