Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says Regis le Bris' side must "cut out the mistakes and defend better" if they want to turn their form around this season.

The Black Cats were jeered by the Stadium of Light crowd after their 2-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle about the performance, Bennett said: "The questions are: where is it going wrong and what has happened?

"You could question whether Sunderland were focused on the game or whether it was a case of them thinking they could just turn up and win.

"Dinamo Zagreb wanted to create things and were willing to run, while our players were scratching their heads and wondering what to do next. That was the difference.

"When you look at Brighton and Bournemouth, they are at it every game and we are not. We keep talking about mistakes week in week out and game after game - and you get punished for them at this level.

"It was a fantastic opportunity to pick up three points, but if you don't start a game right it's always going to be difficult. They just wanted it more than us.

"I do think the players are still playing for Regis le Bris, though. You have to question whether changing the head coach will actually change anything, because it is still going to be the same players. It is as simple as that."

BBC Sport's Sunderland fan Ella McCabe added: "I think I've just watched Regis le Bris' last European game in charge of Sunderland.

"I'm feeling quite dejected right now. I've just seen players not put any effort in for the majority of the 90 minutes. They don't have the spark or the drive, they just don't have the want anymore.

"A widespread mentality issue like that has to come down to the manager for me. There has to be a wholesale reason behind the players not playing for the badge anymore.

"I don't want him to go, I'll be gutted when he leaves, but ultimately we cannot keep playing like that."