safc.com speaks to Jack Dearden of BBC Manchester ahead of Sunderland's Barclays Premier League game against Bolton Wanderers.
"The same thing's happened as Bolton as happens at all clubs. A change of manager brings a response from the players and that's to be expected. Owen Coyle has altered one or two things and has tried to change Bolton's style of play. In fairness, Gary Megson went on record as saying he'd tried to change the style at the beginning of the season. Things seem to have settled down under the new management now. Without doubt it's widely accepted that the win over West Ham was a massive one, but the previous game against Wolves was probably the biggest victory of the season. It's too early to assess the level of overall improvement, but to go away and win at somewhere like West Ham was very pleasing."
"From what I hear and having spoken to him a number of times, Owen's management style seems clearly defined by encouragement more than anything. His style is to get people playing with a slap on the back rather than across the wrist. He's rejuvenated a number of players - Paul Robinson being one. Players start with a clean sheet when a new manager comes in and that's why they respond, at least initially. It will take him some time to knock Bolton into shape playing-wise, but how long that process will take is difficult to define."
"If I had to single someone out, it would be Kevin Davies as he played so well at West Ham. He troubles every team and I think he's hugely underrated. That's my view and I stand by it because I've seen almost every game he's played since he joined Bolton Wanderers. He's honest, leads the line well and on a good day Kevin Davies can bring other players into the game and get a goal for you, as he did at the weekend. I think he's an outstanding player, and I'm not jumping on the bandwagon but I think England should look at taking Davies to the World Cup."
"Chung-Yong Lee has done very well and he's learning with every 90 minutes he plays. He's still new to this country and must adapt to living here and playing in the Premier League. He's got a few goals but needs to add some upper body strength to cope with the physical demands of the league. Fabrice Muamba has been important for Bolton, too. He's strong, breaks up play and gets around the field. If he could score 10 or 12 goals a season, Bolton would have an almost complete midfielder on their hands. But then again, if he did that he probably wouldn't be at the club."
"I'm mystified about Sunderland's form, as I'm sure Steve Bruce is. Without putting too fine a point on it, the club are in a real slump and I don't think anyone knows why. At a club it all comes down to what happens on the field. If the club are having some success a lot of other things at a football club fall into place. Bruce must be ripping his hair out. They have a passionate supporter base and a lot of talented players, so it's easy to see why the frustration's there. Expectation can go both ways. Sunderland are a smashing club with superb fans. Maybe they need a few more beach balls on the field."
