New Sunderland manager Martin On'Neill believes that the club's performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon was "symptomatic of the season" so far.
The Black Cats were leading 1-0 at Molineux when Sebastian Larsson had the chance to double their advantage with a penalty.
However, the Swedish international saw his spot-kick saved by Wayne Hennessey and the home side replied by winning the match with two goals from Steven Fletcher.
O'Neill, who was watching in the stands, has revealed that his squad must improve their ability to hold on to leads.
"That type of performance was probably symptomatic of the season and in a game when a penalty is massive and within 30 seconds they score," O'Neill told reporters this afternoon.
"It just ebbed away and we conceded late to lose the game, it's something we need to address.
The Northern Irish manager's first game in charge of the Black Cats is against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers on Sunday afternoon and O'Neill is aware of the importance that the match holds.
"We're in a little bit of trouble at the moment but we just have to win and Sunday," he added. "It is very important for us and the players are very aware of that.
"The sooner we can win matches the better."
O'Neill has been out of work since leaving Aston Villa in August 2010.
