The Black Cats started the season brightly, but have now lost four straight games in all competitions since beating arch-rivals Newcastle United at the end of October.

Sunderland's winless run has seen them slip to second bottom in the Premier League ladder - and Keane feels it is his responsibility to turn things around.

The North-East outfit have suffered worse runs of form under the ex-Manchester United skipper and the Irishman is relishing the challenge of proving the club's doubters wrong.

"I know I should be doing better because, if anything, it's down to the manager," said Keane.

"I can't fault my players and have to say they are generally giving their best. It's just little details we are letting ourselves down on.

"If you are winning, everyone loves you and is praising you, wanting to give you contracts, everything you do looks good, the suit is good.

"When you're losing, they question this, they question that.

"We had one spell last year when we had one win in 13 so we have known worse times but you tend to forget how bad that was.

"A lot of people will be writing us off at this moment and to me, that is a great challenge."