Final Score: Sunderland 1 Southampton 1

PAOLO DI CANIO has promised to change everything at Sunderland after claiming a 1-1 draw with Southampton which has left the Wearside club on the brink of Premier League safety.

The Black Cats failed to end their home fixtures on a high yesterday at the Stadium of Light with a performance to savour, but Di Canio thinks the team’s points tally since taking over from Martin O’Neill is a “miracle”.

In a stark assessment of what he inherited, the Italian feels more relaxed in the situation Sunderland find themselves in now to be able to describe the extent of what was left behind by O’Neill.

Di Canio has previously suggested players’ fitness levels were not up to his standard, while he has also revealed low morale after such a worrying slump was likely to have cost Sunderland a place in the top flight.

But after claiming two wins and two draws from his first six matches in charge, the former Swindon boss thinks the turnaround has been exceptional, and he is proud of the players’ achievements already.

“I have been part of this environment for five weeks now.

To get eight points from six games is a miracle,” he said.

“When I arrived here, after a couple of days, when I saw what they were thinking, what the environment was like, the players have made a miracle to get so many points.

“I would have signed for those eight points from six games because I saw what had been going on at the club. I would have signed straight away. The lads have done an amazing job.

“Before Paolo Di Canio, the club lost Steven Fletcher and other players and some had to adapt to different positions. In the last two games we have played better in the secondhalf and that is down to our physical condition.

“They restored their belief, which was under the ground before my arrival. I can’t change everything in such a short space of time so I get frustrated because I want my team to play better.” He added: “I knew the quality we had here before I came.

There are many good players.

But the environment – and this is not to accuse anyone – it was dead. The environment was dead, I can tell you.”

Despite Jason Puncheon’s 76th-minute equaliser yesterday, Sunderland know that a point at Tottenham next Sunday on the final day will be enough to keep them in the top-flight.

Premier League status could already have been assured by then if Wigan, sitting third bottom, fail to win at Arsenal tomorrow and close the four-point gap, knowing Sunderland also have a significantly better goal difference.

And Di Canio, whose side took the lead with a 68thminute opener from Phil Bardsley, said: “The boys need to understand they have done a critical job. Even if you have a good manager and a good staff, if you have eight months under pressure, they don’t bond together.

“They go into little groups, not because they are bad guys, but there was a different environment before.

When we stay up – and I’m sure we will – it is a miracle.

“The destiny is in our hands now. If we get a point in the next game we will be mathematically safe. It’s in our hands. That’s already a good season for me.

“We will keep the club up and then I will try to change everything. I will try to keep the right players, bring in the right players. I don’t want to upset anyone, but there will be many changes.”

As well as looking for greater physical strength across the pitch during the summer, Di Canio will also be looking for more talking from his players – and will target such individuals on the recruitment front.

“We have to try to handle every situation,” said Di Canio, who admitted beforehand that left-back Danny Rose is unlikely to return after his loan and was applauded off at the end when he threw his shirt into the crowd.

“We didn’t have communication a lot among the players, just John O’Shea at the back. We have all shy guys.

The communication is not strong.

“This will take time, a long time. They are young players here who play with their own interpretation. It is difficult to change a lot of things in a few weeks. The players have done an amazing job in my time here.

“You see people with cramps, struggling. I expect much more from people, even those who sit on the bench, they have to give everything.

“I didn’t enjoy the way some players approached the game.

“But I am proud of how they have all done the job.”