Coleman: We must get streetwise – and quickly

Chris Coleman admits that his Sunderland players need to become more streetwise in the battle against the drop.

Immediately after Saturday’s 2-0 Championship defeat to Ipswich Town, the Black Cats boss bemoaned his side’s naivety, particularly in contrast to Mick McCarthy’s squad.

The financial situation at the Stadium of Light left Coleman relying largely on inexperienced young signings in the January window.

And he admits that the newcomers, and the rest of the squad, will have to show a greater stubbornness quickly.

Asked if his side were naive against Ipswich, Coleman said: “They can be. When they’re experienced, they’ll grow up quickly.

“Ipswich have got some good, experienced boys who knows the league inside out.

“They’ve got a manager who knows the league inside out.

“But I’m happy with the boys we’ve brought in during the transfer window – we did good business there and it’s just getting them to the pace of it as quickly as they can because as we know the Championship is fast, aggressive, and physical.

“But then we’ve got one or two players who have been here a long time, and have been through it all season.

“They need to step in because they know how it works.

“It’s not so much the boys we’ve just brought in.

“Kaz (LuaLua) hasn’t been playing, Fletch (Ashley Fletcher) hasn’t really been playing that much but he knows the league and he’ll be OK; it was Ovie (Ejaria)’s debut in the Championship, but he’ll be fine.

“I look at one or two of the Ipswich defenders and they’re cute, clever