The Chronicle

‘Small win’ for Coleman but home victory gives Wearside huge platform

MANAGER TARGETING BIGGER SUCCESSES

- By JAMES HUNTER Sports Writer james.hunter@trinitymir­ror.com @JHunterChr­on

THE celebratio­ns had barely died down, the relief hardly subsided, but already Chris Coleman had moved on.

While all the attention was on Sunderland finally ending their wait for a home win – a wait that had stretched 364 days and encompasse­d an English-record 21 games in all competitio­ns – Coleman did not waste time wallowing in triumphali­sm following the victory over Fulham.

Why should he? This was only his second game at the Stadium of Light since taking charge.

While he has been asked about it many times since taking charge, this record was not his to break.

He won on home soil at the second attempt, having lost his first game on Wearside against Reading after playing for 45 minutes with 10 men.

Of course, on Saturday he was delighted for the fans, the players and the staff who have had this hanging over them for so long – and, no doubt, because it will no longer be a recurrent theme in his Press conference­s – but he was more concerned about focusing on the future, than looking back.

That was why he labelled this victory over the club where he spent a decade as player and manager as a ‘small win’ – and said next weekend’s home game against relegation rivals Birmingham City is much bigger.

In terms of the picture at the bottom of the table, he is right about that, of course.

But it is worth reflecting on the progress the Wearsiders have made since he took charge just under a month ago.

Sunderland were propping up the Championsh­ip at the time, had won only one game out of 17, had not kept a single clean sheet, and a fourpoint gap stood between them and exiting the relegation zone.

In Coleman’s five games at the helm, Sunderland have won twice, picked up seven points, kept three clean sheets, and have clawed their way out of the bottom three for the first time since September, and are now a point above the drop zone.

In short, they have come a long way in a short time.

While money will be tight, Coleman has a chance to make changes to his squad next month and bring in some of his own men.

But in the meantime he has got more out of players such as Darron Gibson and Adam Matthews, who have excelled in recent games.

Coleman has also given academy products George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch, along with talented – if still raw – 18-year-olds such as Joel Asoro and Saturday’s matchwinne­r Josh Maja, a chance to impress.

Whether operating with a back four or three centre-backs, the defence looks more robust, and goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter has settled.

As a team, they look more confident on the ball and less vulnerable out of possession.

There is still much to do and there will be days when things go wrong, but Sunderland are at least heading in the right direction.

And if they beat basement side Birmingham on Saturday it will complete back-to-back home wins for the first time since last December, and ensure they spend Christmas outside the relegation zone.

 ??  ?? Match-winner Josh Maja applauds the Sunderland fans on Saturday
Match-winner Josh Maja applauds the Sunderland fans on Saturday

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