THE PREMIERSHIP IS AWFUL

“Refs are getting scrutinised left right and centre. But I have to say that the players aren't helping them one bit.

“Players are conning each other. I'm glad I'm not playing anymore, especially in the Premiership, because there's a lot of sneaky stuff going on that makes it hard for referees.

“You watch on TV and think has he been fouled, has he gone down? I can't get my head round a player who rolls round in agony but then gets up 30 seconds later and plays on.

“There are lots of players doing it. Everyone goes down the foreign route, but there are plenty of lads who play for England who do it, and lads who play for Ireland and Scotland who do it. It's not just a foreign thing.

“Lads I've played with dive, and it drives me crazy. It's crazy because if you go down faking injury, after the game you have to go and see your family. My family would disown me if I was trying to get another player in trouble.

“You don't mind people having a go at you, hitting you hard but not this rolling round. You see it every week in the Premiership. Sit down and watch Match of the Day, you'd see players do it. Players have got to take responsibility.

“If I was a player or manager, I'd be embarrassed. It's cheating. Managers have to take responsibility, and I'm trying to do that with my players at Sunderland.

“They say 'give him a booking, send him off'. We all know the players, I could tell you them, high profile ones, I wouldn't give them the time of day.”