Gus Poyet has said it is vital that his team "care about the ball" during their matches.

The Uruguayan took over at Sunderland after the club sacked Paolo Di Canio following a poor start to the season.

The 46-year-old told The Independent: "People ask 'Will you die with that philosophy?' I wouldn't go that far. There is not only one way. My teams will care about the ball.

"We will pass it more or pass it less depending on the players and the game and the position on the table. But they will care about the ball. The ball is priceless.

"I like to say I want the ball to be happy with us. If the ball talks he will say, 'OK, I want to be with that side'. The more time I get, the more clear that idea will be."

Sunderland have lost just once in their last six Premier League matches, leaving them 19th in the Premier League table.