IT’S ABOUT TO GET UGLEE
Johnson will bare his teeth to pull Black Cats out of slump
LEE JOHNSON has warned Sunderland’s players they will see a different side to him as he embarks on a transformation at the Stadium of Light. The former Bristol City manager has been on Wearside for only a few weeks but he has seen enough to know an overhaul is required to pull the Black Cats out of the mess they are in.
And if that means him falling out with players, then so be it. Johnson saw Sunderland draw for the ninth time this season with Aiden McGeady cancelling out Reece Burke’s Hull opener. But neither side did enough to win and the new manager knows his players are facing a fourth successive season in football’s third tier unless he can get more out of them.
“We need to add quality on the pitch,” said Johnson. “Sometimes that’s from nurturing your own, improving organisation, making better decisions, or bringing new players in.
“I think I’ve got to show my teeth a bit more now because we need to start showing some devilment in certain areas.” Johnson doesn’t deny there will be casualties along the way.
“We have a couple who need to do more,” he said. “They are not showing elite mentality, not through a lack of willingness, it’s more of a confidence swing.
“Nines (out of 10) one week, four the next. We need consistent sevens, eights and nines.”
Johnson strengthened his squad yesterday with Forest Green midfielder Carl Winchester joining on a two-and-a-halfyear deal. And those already working with him can expect more hours on the training pitch.
He said: “I am going to take them for a set- play clinic because sometimes tiny details can make the difference.”
Hull boss Grant McCann was happy with a point but, if the Tigers are to earn automatic promotion, they must rediscover the form which saw them win seven successive games in November.
McCann said: “The boys are heartened by the point even though we felt we had the better chances to win the game.” SUNDERLAND: Burge 5 (Matthews 45, 6), McLaughlin 5 (Gooch 45, 6), Wright 6, Sanderson 6, McFadzean 6, Power 6, Leadbitter 7, Scowen 6, Diamond 7 (Maguire 75), Wike 6 (Graham 75), McGeady 7 (Embleton 75)
HULL: Long 6, Jones 6 (Lewis-Potter 66, 6), Burke 6, Greaves 7, Emmanuel 6, Smallwood 6, Honeyman 7, Docherty 6, Fleming 6 (Elder 84), Wilks 7, Eaves 5 (Magennis 41, 5)
Scott Oldham