Paul Bracewell: Sunderland's Jan Kirchhoff must learn quickly from 'baptism of fire' against Spurs

Bracewell, standing in for boss Sam Allardyce who was too ill to speak to the written media, says the ex-Bayern Munich defender will have to dust himself down quickly after a debut to foget.

Kirchhoff, a second half substitute, was at fault for two of the goals as the Black Cats fell apart at White Hart Lane.

"It was a baptism of fire, it was tough," admitted Bracewell.

"He has learnt what the Premier League is all about, quick pace and you don't have time to take chances.

"I haven't seen the penalty back, he has come in and we have to work with him and dust ourselves down and go again.

"Hopefully he will get over it and we will work with him, like we do all the players.

"We have to bounce back.

"It has been tough for a lot of them, there was a lot of tired legs out there.

"I think the travel contributed."

Allardyce handed Kirchhoff his debut, replacing Danny Graham when the game was 1-1.

But Bracewell defended the decision to change personnel and the system, with Sunderland switching to five at the back.

When asked if the change of shape was at fault for the defeat,

Bracewell said: "Not really.

"You make decisions and make changes, the result would point towards that but we thought it was the right time to make those changes.

"Obviously it didn't work out."

Sunderland took the lead through Patrick van Aanholt but Spurs hit back through two goals from Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane's penalty and Mousa Dembele.

Bracewell added: "It was very frustrating, the same against Swansea in midweek and disappointed to concede so quickly after taking the lead.

"Jordan Pickford came in at Arsenal and did well, he made some good saved and didn't deserve to be on the end of that result."

On Allardyce, Bracewell added: "Sam wasn't feeling very well, don't read too much into that."