Chris Coleman has urged his players to ‘show some personality’ when Sunderland take on Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light on Saturday (KO 3pm).
The Black Cats bolstered their ranks late in the transfer window as Ovie Ejaria, Ashley Fletcher and Lee Camp arrived late on, and ahead of the game the Welshman revealed all three players in are in contention.
Fletcher offers a fresh dimension up front while Ejaria arrives with a big reputation having impressed for Liverpool’s under-23s, and Camp provides competition and a wealth of experience between the posts.
And Coleman will be hoping new faces can inject fresh swagger into Sunderland’s play, and lift the players around them.
“We have to forget Birmingham and focus on Ipswich,” said the boss.
“Focus on our strengths and the game plan, and show some personality within our performance as well because you can have a great game plan, but if you don’t show personality in your performance you can forget it.”
He continued: “It’s literally game by game, going for those points that are so precious.
“We fell down again on Tuesday night and came up short, but I can’t dwell on that with the players and I have to prepare them for the next one.
“We’re up against a manager in Mick McCarthy who has got so much experience at this level, and they’re a much-improved Ipswich team from last season.
“I mean, every game we go into there are different threats – one’s got this, the next one has that – but, again, we need to keep focussing on ourselves, it’s as simple as that.
“We need to motivate ourselves, not wait for someone to come and push us guide us, and go and take responsibility and get the job done.
“We know we can do it, we’ve got to get across the line.”