Chris Coleman is expecting a response from his side when they face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
The Welshman pulled no punches when analysing Sunderland’s performance against Sheffield United on Boxing Day, acknowledging it simply wasn’t good enough and they got exactly what they deserved.
There is little time to dwell, though, with Coleman tasked with preparing his depleted squad for two games in 72 hours, with Barnsley heading to the Stadium of Light on Monday.
And speaking to safc.com, the boss demanded a response from his players against Forest.
“Talk is cheap and it’s all about what you do on the pitch – and we have to do it tomorrow.
“We missed the 90 minutes at Sheffield United and that was disappointing, but we have Forest next and that’s what we need to look forward to, and we need to put a performance in first and foremost because we definitely didn’t do that in the last game.
“Nottingham Forest play out from the back – a possession-based game – and they’re quite expansive in their set-up,” continued Coleman.
“They play good football and they take chances, and they’ve had a pretty good season really although they’ve had a recent slip-up.
“When Mark [Warburton] went in there they were really struggling and he’s done a good job, but whether we’re playing Wolves away, Birmingham at home [or Forest], they’re all tough games for different reasons.
“Forest will be looking at this game as one they can get three points from if they get it right, especially if we don’t up our game from our last experience, because they’re a good footballing team.
“It’s up to us to weather that but let’s go and ask them some questions because we didn’t ask enough of Sheffield United.”