Last Updated: Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:15
Martin O'Neill has defended shot-shy Sunderland - but warned that they are not "too good" to get drawn into a relegation scrap.
The Black Cats have managed, according to some statistics, only 13 shots on target in nine league matches - by far the worst in the top flight and are the lowest scorers with just six goals.
O'Neill queried the accuracy of the stats but admitted the players need to threaten the opposition goal more. He also warned his players that it was a mistake to believe the squad had too much quality to get drawn into the battle at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.
In terms of the shots, O'Neill said: "We have our own statistician in here and he tells me it depends who you look at. But what doesn't lie is the number of goals that we have scored.
"What we have to do is have more shots at goal regardless of whether I believe or don't believe the stats, and I don't need anyone to tell me that. We are playing reasonably okay but we need to be more incisive.
"I don't believe we have ever been prolific in that area but we do need to create more. The responsibility is mine, but we should be able to have more shots at goal and I'm not talking about from ridiculous angles but about not spurning opportunities and having the ball in the opposition penalty box more often. I have not completed a full season here yet. It just takes a bit of time, and by hook or by crook I intend to make this a team that the supporters are genuinely proud of."
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