Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid has told Gus Poyet that his side should be playing a more direct style of football.

The current Black Cats boss has come under fire from some supporters following a run of just one win from six games.

Reid, who managed Sunderland between 1995 and 2002, believes that the team should be looking to score more goals.

"I think they need to try and play more direct – with players like [Connor] Wickham and Steven Fletcher, they need to mix it up a bit," Reid told talkSPORT.

"Get the ball out wide and get an early cross into the box."

Sunderland are currently 16th in the Premier League.