KARL Henry reckons Sunderland’s poisonous atmosphere has proved their undoing this season.

Black Cats boss Simon Grayson was sacked 17 minutes after the final whistle blew on a frantic 3-3 draw with Wanderers on Tuesday night.

Henry, who opened his Bolton goal-scoring account with the Whites’ third, believes the negativity around the Stadium of Light can be harnessed by visiting teams.

“Every time I go to Sunderland think the same thing – it’s a toxic atmosphere for the home team,” he told The Bolton News. “I wouldn’t want to be a player here with those fans. Obviously they have got high expectations, and there are a lot of clubs who feel they should be in the Premier League, but unfortunately only 20 teams can. The league tables don’t lie.

“It’s an atmosphere that doesn’t help the home team and it’s something we say as the visitors to try and use against them. You can get fans on their back.”

Henry’s last goal came in May 2016 for QPR against Bristol City and the 34-year-old was only disappointed it did not prove to be the winner.

“I don’t get many. On my way in I was showing Jeff King one of my goals from training about two years ago, that’s shows how often it happens,” he said.

“I’m biased but I think we deserved more.

“When you are at the bottom it’s easy to capitulate. To look around and see everyone rolling their sleeves up awas brilliant. But it was a shame to let them back into it.”