Coleman’s changed the way we play – Adam
Wales defender Adam Matthews says Sunderland’s performance at Villa Park showed a change in philosophy under Chris Coleman.
Coleman has had only a handful of training sessions to work with his new squad, but the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa suggested a more patient, possession-based approach.
The former Wales boss has admitted that was a deliberate ploy and full-back Matthews believes it will lead to much improved results for the Black Cats. He said: “He hasn’t been here long, so it has been hard to have the impact that he wants to have.
“The short time he’s had with us, I think you can see, he’s changed the way we play completely. We look a lot more organised.
“We didn’t get the result (at Villa), but I thought the performance, and the way we played with the ball in particular, was a lot better.
“On the ball, it was the best we’ve looked this season. He’ll bring his own philosophy and help us get out the bottom three.
“Not many teams will go to Villa Park and keep the ball the way we did. If we keep improving, and the manager gets his gameplan across, I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
The 25-year-old has now established himself in the firstteam picture and Matthews insists that his team must improve defensively for today’s crucial clash at Burton Albion.
The ex-Celtic man said: “My first two seasons at Sunderland, we’d better not talk about them! It is a massive club and a great club to play for. Personally, it is going well, but hopefully we can turn the results around.
“If [Lewis] Grabban keeps scoring, he’ll keep us in the league.
“If we can tighten up at the back, we can’t keep conceding two or three goals and expect to win.
“Hopefully we can put that right against Burton.”