AFTER taking the step of penning a letter to frustrated Sunderland fans this week, Gus Poyet hopes his unusual move has helped to create a united front when he tries to secure a much-needed victory over West Bromwich Albion today.

Poyet is desperate to lead the Black Cats to a Premier League home win for only the third time this season to ease some of the tension built up after one win in five league games before last weekend’s FA Cup defeat at Bradford.

There has been increased pressure placed on his shoulders from a number of fans, while infighting in the away end at Valley Parade also suggested he still has a strong number of supporters backing him.

Criticism was hurled his way after a few of his post-match interviews appeared to hint at fans being stuck in the past and blaming the media as he attempts to change the club’s approach he inherited 18 months ago.

That was why he made the decision to write a letter to fans asking for backing, stating he did not want anyone to break their “relationship”.

Speaking for the first time since, he said: “I’ve never done it before, but I thought it was necessary. I was calm at home, I thought I’d write something and let a few days pass. I showed it to the club, they agreed with me and we put it out on Thursday.

“I don’t know if it was right or wrong. It was my instinct. I follow my instincts a lot. My instincts have worked well in my life. This is another one. I’m not going to change.

“I don’t regret what I’ve said because I’m not that type of person. The only thing is, we have analysed and maybe I say things that sound a certain way because of the way I express myself.

“But if I bring a translator, it would be worse. It wasn’t against any one individual. I accept criticism. I’m never going to have 100 per cent support, I aim for 80-90 per cent. It all depends on results, nothing else matters. I know in the world I live in that negativity is the big news, I’m not going to change that. I take it.”

Such is Poyet’s desire to secure three points today that he is ready to gamble on the fitness of inspirational midfielder Lee Cattermole. He often sets the tone with how the side plays with his own performances in the middle, so he is in line to start after progressing well after knee trouble.

Sunderland can’t really afford a negative start against West Brom - who are showing signs of improvement following the arrival of Tony Pulis - after demoralising defeats to Bradford and QPR courtesy of anaemic displays.

“I’ve had one bad result and one that is the nature of football,” said Poyet, who will include Jermain Defoe in attack but has slight doubts over the fitness of Anthony Reveillere and Emanuele Giaccherini.

“We have to win a game and things move on whether I had written the letter or not. I don’t follow social media, I’ve been told that the letter has been well received but if I looked there would be bad ones. I don’t look. I try to concentrate on what is an important game on Saturday and if we win nothing else matters.

“I don’t want to write another letter in three months time. I just wanted to say something that was direct from me. It was an instinct, I felt it was needed. I didn’t blame anyone, I didn’t attack anyone and I didn’t look for excuses. It was just me.

“The fans singing about me: it’s part of the game. I don’t have a problem with it. I accept it. Conflict between me and the fans and the press, it won’t help us (in a relegation battle). I just wanted to make sure the fans knew my opinion straight from me.”

Poyet has had to try to ensure his players have not been overly-affected by the events of the last 11 days. He said: “They are OK, they look OK, but we have an expression ... we define football as Saturday at 3pm.

“The rest is part of the game, but the most important thing is Saturday 3pm. It doesn’t matter how you train. But we trained well today. It is 3pm that matters now.”