Lee Johnson has given fans an update following the 1-1 draw with York City in a pre-season friendly at the LNER Community Stadium. The Head Coach has reflected on the draw last night as well as the transfer situation.
THE YORK GAME
"First half I thought we were good, we pretty much had total control, second half I was disappointed with. You saw probably 85-90% of how we want to play in that first half: high line, winning the ball back early, got in behind five or six times. It was a little bit toothless, I thought, not enough numbers in the box and trying to score the perfect goal, which to be fair we then did. But I'd have liked to have worked the goalkeeper a little bit more for the dominance we had. That's just an attitude thing to work on. We've got to get Corry Evans continuing to play forward relentlessly. Because if you don't get that two-goal lead, that's what happens. Teams can build up a head of steam, you can make a set piece error like we did night, a refereeing decision etc. If you're playing someone like Gillingham, for example, you know you're going to have to defend your box and they can bombard you. We've got to get the balance as a team."
TRANSFERS
"I think we need a few, to be honest, if you gave me six, I'd take six. I'd take four if they were high quality. But I think we need a few. I wouldn't say I'm comfortable with where Sunderland are - I'm having sleepless nights, that's for sure. What I am comfortable with is that we are working extremely hard in the background. It's a tough division this year and you have to have the quality, but at the moment we are a bit short. There has been interest in our players, as you'd expect. We take every one on its merits, and for the benefit of Sunderland. Any outgoings have to be on our terms. It's alright any player saying they want to go, but it has to be the right move for Sunderland and the team."
BAILEY WRIGHT
"He has a year left on his contract, and we've been very open and honest with Bails all the way through. I don't think the new ownership has seen the best of Bailey Wright - he has to do better than he did in the last ten games of last season, but at the same time he can do better. Also, he was a real warrior at that time because he had had nine or ten weeks out and then come back and played nine or ten games on the spin. We know what Bailey brings off the pitch, certainly I do more than anyone, because he is not just a fantastic human being but also a leader culturally for us. His performances have been steady and decent, but I know there is more in the tank."
INJURY NEWS
"Lynden Gooch just felt a little twinge, he thinks he'll quite comfortably be back in a week, but obviously we didn't want to take any risks with it.
