Coleman’s ‘already changed us’

CHRIS Coleman needed just a few days to ‘completely’ change the way Sunderland play according to Adam Matthews - but the Wales defender is expecting a different gameplan every match.

Coleman took over as Black Cats’ manager on Sunday and his first game in charge was against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Although the Black Cats lost 2-1, the difference was very noticeable, with far more emphasis placed on keeping the ball.

Matthews, who played right-back on Tuesday, acknowledged: “The boss has not been here long so he has not had the impact he would have liked to have had.

“However, in the short period of time he has been here he has changed the way we play completely.

“We did not get the result we wanted at Aston Villa but I thought the way we played, especially with the ball, was a lot better.”

Matthews was handed his international debut by Gary Speed but eight of his 13 caps came under Coleman.

He has only played once for his country in the last four years but Coleman has given him a good idea of what to expect.

Matthews added: “He will tell us exactly what he wants, he will go into every game with a different gameplan - and I think that showed against Villa.

“We conceded sloppy goals from our point of view but I think he will bring in his own philosophy and help us get out of the bottom three.

“The more we work with the gaffer, the more opportunities we will get moving forward.

“If we keep improving and the manager gets his gameplan across I am sure we will be fine.”