Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio admits he's shocked by their lowly position.

Di Canio heads into his first game at the Stadium of Light against high-flying Everton today insisting the Mackems should not be fighting for Premier League survival.

The Italian stopped short of blaming sacked predecessor Martin O'Neill.

But he said: "I've seen Reading, QPR, Aston Villa and Stoke play and it's a shame we are in this position.

"We should have more than 34 points. I don't know what has happened but we have the quality to stay in mid-table."