‘We need to keep the fans with us’

CHRIS Coleman was all smiles after earning his first win as Sunderland manager – but he insists it is no more than a start.

It was only Coleman’s second game in charge but he looked every bit as relieved as the players as they celebrated on the pitch in front of the jubilant away fans.

Asked how it feels, he beamed: “It feels good – really good!

“It was never going to be easy and the conditions weren’t great for both teams, but in the position we are in, you don’t care where wins come from.

“They just have to come, and they have to come frequently and consistently.

“This is a good start, it’s a good base for us, and I told the players to enjoy it, to milk it for 24 hours, because we are used to coming out of the dressing room feeling depressed and down because we haven’t got what we wanted.

“Hence my reaction with the supporters after the game – we have to try and build something. We have to almost win their trust again, and you do that by performing, staying in games.

“Over the 90 minutes today, I thought we created the better chances and I felt that we were the ones that were always going to go on and win it but of course Burton had their moments, like any team does, but I felt we were the team that deserved to get the three points.”

The sold-out away end was in fine voice throughout and when the goals went in, there was an explosion of joy and relief.

Coleman said: “They were superb. You can just sense they are desperate for us to show them something, to give them a bit of belief and a bit of hope that we can get away from where we are.

“There’s only us that can do that, whether we are here or at home it doesn’t matter, our performances and our focus has to always be the same.

“We just need to make sure we keep them with us, keep them excited, give them something to shout about.”

And it’s not just the fans Coleman will need to play a part...it’s all the players in his squad as he combats the current injury crisis.

“If we are going to get out of trouble, it’s not just the XI that are out on the pitch, it’s the other guys too and when they are called upon you need them to come on and make an impact,” said Coleman.

Coleman was also delighted with the clean sheet, which was Sunderland’s first in the league this season.