Sunderland boss Simon Grayson on his future, relationship with Martin Bain and what's going wrong this season

Simon Grayson has come out fighting ahead of the crunch game with Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday - insisting he is the right man for the job.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.

Speaking at the Academy of Light, under-fire Grayson spoke passionately about why he remains the best man for the hotseat at the Stadium of Light despite Sunderland sitting second bottom of the Championship.

Sunderland host basement side Bolton Wanderers tomorrow night.

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Here are some of the highlights from the television section of today's press conference.

What is your message to the Sunderland fans?

Grayson said: "100 per cent I can turn this around. I have had tough times before in football and not quit. I stick my chest out.

"I am at the front of this big, fantastic football club and I am here to galvanise this club and get it going.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.

"I keep saying, I had a comfortable job at Preston but I had the balls to come here and show what I wanted to do, trust my ability that I can make a good club great again.

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"There has been a lot of obstacles in the way in the past and since I have been here and other obstacles I didn't realise were going to be put in front of me that I have had to deal with and that is why I will come through this and we are all looking at a different club in the near future."

On being the best man for the job:

Grayson said: "Winning a football match will change the whole environment and mentality of everybody.

Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.
Sunderland boss Simon Grayson.

"Do I think I am the right man for the job? Of course I do. I am experienced and have been through good and bad times as a manager.

"I can't think of too many other people who are in football at this moment in time who would be in a better position or could do a better job than I am doing at this moment in time.

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"I know I need to do things that are better and am working every hour to improve this football club. The players are doing that, it is what we do on the grass."

Like our Sunderland AFC Facebook page here:On his relationship with Sunderland CEO Martin Bain:

Grayson said: "I speak to Martin every day, our conversations are no different from when I first came in to what it is now.

"We both know what we need to do. We both have opinions on certain things.

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"I have a real strong relationship with Martin, he is very supportive of what I am doing and sees what we are doing behind the scenes.

"We do feel we have improved the football club, the atmosphere at the training ground and a lot of other aspects has improved significantly but as manager you are judged on results.

"We are not getting the results, the performances and the work behind the scenes is not paying off yet but we do genuinely think we are not far away from it."

Concerned for your own future?

Grayson said: "Winning a match for the club is more important than it is for Simon Grayson.

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"I have been a manager for 12 years, I have been through good times and been sacked a couple of times.

"I am doing my best for this club, it is always about the bigger picture not personal gain.

"I have improved it in certain areas, I know I need to in other areas. Time helps you get that but I do know we need results for everybody."

What is going wrong with the side this season?

Grayson said: "It is difficult to pin point it, when we have analysed the games we have played well in games, we are making daft errors in times or players not taking responsibility.

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"There wasn't much in the game against Bristol City, we go a goal behind and don't seem to be able to recover from it.

"We are working hard to eradicate the mistakes."