Manning’s green shoots
LIAM MANNING revealed he was excited by what he saw from his MK Dons side.
Goals from Ross
Stewart and Elliot Embleton were enough for Sunderland, despite Tottenham loanee Troy Parrott’s reply in Manning’s first game as Dons’ new head coach.
The Black Cats missed a penalty five minutes from time when Andrew Fisher saved from Lynden Gooch.
“Looking at the bigger picture, I am really excited by a lot of the things I saw,” said Manning.
“We had good control of large parts of the game and created lots of chances, but what we can’t do is switch off.
“I have not taken training yet so the guys don’t have an idea of what I want, so that is difficult.
“I am proud of how they played. They are a terrific group of guys, no egos and everyone is willing to work and learn so as a coaching staff coming in it is really exciting.” Black
Cats manager Lee Johnson said: “We have had a big turnaround in the squad and we have got players making their debuts and learning about how to cope.
“We have played a side that can drain you psychologically, but apart from one great save we were not troubled hugely.
“The lads have shown a great attitude and I have been very impressed with them all summer and that effort is starting to bear fruit.”