Newly appointed Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat admits his side need to improve tactically after tasting defeat to West Ham in his first game in charge at the club.
The Black Cats frustrated the Hammers with a solid defensive performance at Upton Park but eventually fell to a 1-0 loss thanks to Diafra Sakho’s 88th minute winner.
Advocaat, the former Rangers boss parachuted in until the end of the season following the dismissal of Gus Poyet, had named an attacking line-up, though Jermain Defoe wasted the best of the early chances and defender Patrick Van Aanholt saw a second-half goal-bound effort well saved by Adrian.
It was an improved display from the struggling Black Cats, but the Dutch boss says there will be more to come from the team as he settles into his role, and looks to steer the club clear of the drop.
In just three days you cannot change too much, but now I have the time to try something,” said Advocaat, whose side sit just one point above the bottom-three.
“Some players have to improve more tactically when we have the ball, so I will take that to the training ground."
On the performance in east London, Advocaat admitted he was surprised by West Ham’s winning goal, having contained the hosts well for the majority of the clash.
"It is difficult to play against their long balls, but we did really well," he added.
"If Defoe scores they have to take more risks and we would have got more space.
"But I did not expect the goal from West Ham because everything was under control.
"The luck was not on our side. Everybody saw it [the foul] and not the referee, but I do not want to complain."
Adam Johnson also came off the bench for the Black Cats in the closing stages.
The 27-year-old forward has been bailed until April 28 following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with a girl under 16 and returned to training this week following a club suspension.
"I spoke with him in the week. Life goes on. He did well," Advocaat said.
"He is a very good player. I was happy I could bring him on. That is good to know for the game versus Newcastle."
Sunderland have won four Tyne-Wear derbies in a row, Johnson scoring in three of those including a stoppage-time winner earlier this season.
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét