Adam Matthews has every faith in Chris Coleman to turn Sunderland’s season around.
The Lads’ morale boosting victory at Burton Albion paved the way for optimism going into Coleman’s first home match in charge.
Unfortunately, though, it was short lived as David Edwards struck and a Modou Barrow brace secured all three points for Reading at the Stadium of Light.
But the defeat on Saturday has done little to dampen the Welshman’s spirits, with Matthews quick to focus on the positives from the Black Cats’ display.
“Going forward, we looked quite dangerous, but obviously the sending off, and the timing of the sending off, was difficult,” he said.
“Conceding a goal so early in the second half, we had to go chasing it.
“Once they got the second and third, it was a grind from there, but I think there were some decent signs in the first half when we had 11 players.
“We let their centre-halves have it and, when it went into midfield, we pressed well as a team and won the ball in dangerous areas.
“But going down to 10 men, the way they played probably made it extra difficult. They don’t play many long balls and they keep possession, so they tired us out well in the second half.
“When we had 11 players on the pitch I think we were more than a match for them,” he continued.
“They had the possession, but we had the better chances. Against a team who keep the ball as well as they do, it was always going to be difficult going down to 10 men.
“I keep going back to the first-half performance, but that was probably the best we’ve played at home.
“They had more of the ball, but it was all in their half – they didn’t really cause us any problems. We looked solid as a back four.
“It’s disappointing to lose again at home, but, with this new manager, I’m sure we can put it right.”
