Tony Mowbray has admitted that there is still a lot of work to do, to help Sunderland's new signings settle in and develop relationships with their teammates.
HARSH TO DROP SOME
"It would also be really tough on... Alex Pritchard or even an Elliot Embleton who produces two assists after we bring him on against Reading in midweek, for me to bring in these lads [from the start]."
ENGLISH LESSONS
"At this stage they can't really communicate fully with their team-mates yet, and I've been talking with the Sporting Director about getting more English lessons for them. Rather than them going and sitting in a hotel and watching the tele, can we get them more lessons to improve their communication quicker? That's a process that we're looking to speed up for them."
EXPERIENCED HEADS
"It's important for them because it'll help them develop relationships. It's a good group and we enjoy it, and it's important we mention lads like Corry Evans and Danny Batth. They are the glue of the team with all these young, fast, talented lads around them. They bring us that real stability through the middle and that's really important for what we're doing."
LEARNING THE PLAYERS
"I've leaned on the coaching staff who were already here, they give you that sense of what you can and maybe can't expect from each individual. I watch them in training of course and now I've now spoken to just about all of them individually as well."
GETTING TO KNOW TONY
"I told them that they all had to knock on my door and come in for a cup of tea and a chat, so I can get to know about them and their lives. I think about 90% of the players now I've managed to have half an hour with, finding out what they're like and what makes them tick, and giving them an understanding of what I like in footballers. I'm an emotional coach, and I want them to know I'm there for them, that I'm there to help them. They'll all have individual plans going forward."
