Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has said that his side are "playing with fear" and admitted his concern that they "are not good enough" after seeing them fall to a 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton.

Dusan Tadic's penalty was enough to hand Southampton victory at the Stadium of Light, but Allardyce has criticised his side for 'gifting' the visitors all three points.

"We are playing with fear and we need to get rid of that," Allardyce told BBC Sport after the final whistle.

"In the end we have gifted it to Southampton. We need to pass the ball better. Our passing in possession was poor and I think it's the fear of the position we are in.

"It could have been a point. It could have been a point at West Brom. That's two points. We have to do better and cut out the silly mistakes. At the moment we are not good enough."

Sunderland lie in 19th place in the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety.