Sunderland manager David Moyes insists he will continue to use an honest approach with the club’s players and fans as he tries to steer them away from relegation.

The Black Cats, 1.75 to go down this season, have endured a miserable start to the campaign and sit rock bottom of the Premier League.

From their first seven games, they have picked up just two points and Moyes is already under pressure to turn things around following his arrival in the summer.

Former boss Sam Allardyce managed to turn things around last season but sceptics have claimed Moyes will struggle this season.

Their 1-1 draw last time out against West Brom has given some fans hope and Moyes insists he will not sugarcoat the situation at the minute.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with Stoke City, Moyes insists he will stay loyal to the fans and tell them how it is.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “I could come out and be singing and dancing and say all good things, but the truth is I haven’t had many positive things to talk about.

That is a fact. “I would rather come out and tell the truth. I would rather not kid the supporters.

“Sunderland supporters are knowledgeable and have been brought up with really good football through their grandfathers and their fathers and the history at the club.

“They don’t want me to come out with things that aren’t true. They would rather me be honest and straightforward. This part of the world is a bit like that.

A man is a man, if you like, and you tell them what the situation is. That is the way I choose to manage and the way I choose to speak.”