This was Lee Johnson's main focus as he took his first Sunderland training session

Johnson watched his side labour to a deeply frustrating 1-0 defeat against Wigan Athletic on Saturday, just hours after his appointment as the club's new Head Coach was confirmed.

Johnson was joined on the Academy of Light turf by Jamie McAllister, who is set to be confirmed as the first addition to his backroom staff in the near future.

Sunderland travel to Oldham in the Papa John's Trophy on Tuesday and Johnson is hoping to see more craft from his side.

"Looking back on Saturday's game, we were the better side but we didn't deserve to win, if that makes sense," he said.

"I think the opposition came with an organised gameplan, were full of enthusiasm and endeavour, and we didn't have the craft to break them down.

"The one session I've been able to have before the game tomorrow was about that. We were trying to embed some almost statistical principles, that 'if you do this you have a better chance of scoring'.

"Watching the game back, the frustrating thing was that we didn't disrupt their back four anywhere near enough in and around the middle of the goal.

"So today a lot of work was done on the centre forwards getting across the near post, making sure we fill dangerous goalscoring areas.

"There were too many occasions where deliveries were coming into the box and maybe there were only one or two players in the box.

"In a 4-3-3, and an attacking one like we played, we should be able to get at least four in the box. Sometimes five, six. I was pleased I took the game because it made it absolutely crystal clear to me what we needed to work on.

"I am a coach and I look forward to trying to improve those various parts of our game."

Johnson has already identified adding greater pace to his squad as a key January priority, but has also vowed to extract more from the squad's creative players.

The former Bristol City boss says he feels has inherited a 'subdued' dressing room, but insists that he has the quality he needs for a successful campaign.

The Black Cats will book their place in the last 16 of the competition with a win, but would also secure a much-needed boost after seven matches without victory in all competitions.

"It doesn't phase me," Johnson said.

"That's where the coach comes in. I felt we lacked a bit of personality on the pitch, and that's the bit I want to really, deeply look into.

"Is that pressure, or is just the fact I turned up and everything is different? I wanted to take the game to get a feel for the dressing room and learn about the individuals as quickly as possible.

"It was slightly subdued and it's up to me to encourage the players to be creative, because they are good players for the level.

"When the injuries come back and we get one or two additions to help in January, I really think we'll be in a good place.

"That's the absolute truth."

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