Jones' last goal for Sunderland came in February's 2-0 win against Stoke

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has admitted he is not surprised the club have dropped into trouble given their recent Premier League performances.

The Wearsiders are 17th in the table, three points clear of danger but are without a win in six matches ahead of Saturday's visit of Manchester United.

"We only have ourselves to blame, we went slack in the last few weeks," the 24-year-old told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We're not doing the things that we normally do and it's cost us."

Sunderland's drop in form has coincided with a barren spell for the club's strikers.

Djibril Cisse is without a goal since February's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, while Jones' last strike came in the 2-0 win at home to Stoke later that month.

Critics have pointed out that the duo have struggled to click as a partnership, but Jones is adamant that he and the France international must make things work if the Black Cats are to remain a top-flight outfit this season.

"Even if we are too similar, we have to find ways of playing together for the sake of the team," he said.

"That's all we're trying to do, hopefully we can pick up in these last seven games because that's all we've got to do."

Sunderland signed Jones from Championship side Southampton for a fee of £6m in August 2007.

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