Videos are all part of Howard's way

Sergeant Wilko, as he was known in his title-winning days at Leeds, has had his troops out on manoeuvres.

Howard's way involves daily double training sessions and lots of leg-work.

Captain Michael Gray admitted: "The players have adapted well to training, but the first couple of days were a shock to the system.

"We've found ourselves not getting home until five o'clock.

"The manager has been trying to get the fitness level up. The lads worked very hard in the first couple of days - it was basically just running. After the running, you find that you're feeling a bit stiff.

"But it has been quite interesting and I think the players have enjoyed training this week.''

The meticulous Wilkinson, who replaced Peter Reid as manager last week and recruited Steve Cotterill from Stoke as his assistant, has extended his tactical teach-in to a video view of how others do it.

"The gaffer and Steve Cotterill are on the training ground every morning,'' said Gray.

"I wouldn't say it's like going back to school, but he has his own ideas.

"We watched a couple of videos of how he wanted us to play. We didn't do much video work with Peter, but every manager has his own ideas.

"We haven't been watching Sunderland videos; we've watched videos of different teams. He's trying to get us to play Howard's way.''

Gray was quick to dispel the theory that Wilkinson will resort to the tried and trusted route one to pull fourth-bottom Sunderland out of the Premiership mire.

"We've definitely not been doing long-ball stuff in training,'' said Gray. "We've been doing what we've seen on videos - moving the ball around more then trying to get it into the box.

"Training can go well through the week, but the most important thing is that we get it right on match day.''

Bottom club West Ham present Wilkinson with his first test at the Stadium of Light today.

Visits to fellow strugglers Bolton and Charlton follow, and Gray stressed: "The next three games are important and they are games we can win. We've had a couple of meetings with the manager and he spoke about when we finished seventh two seasons in a row.

"He said he watched us a lot then and talked about how well we closed people down and made this a hard place for teams to come and play. I think he wants to get back to that. He said he wants us to finish high in the Premiership this season.''

Gray is set to return after missing the last three games with a calf injury. Claudio Reyna and Jody Craddock have skippered the side in his absence.

"If I'm captain, that will be fantastic,'' said Gray. "If the manager wants to appoint someone else, then I have to abide by that. Whatever, I'll be giving 100 per cent.''

Wearsider Gray was in the process of tying up a new four-year deal just as Reid, with whom he enjoyed a good relationship, was on his way out.

Gray admitted: "We are playing for our futures. Nobody knows what the team is going to be, but Howard seems like the sort of manager who, if you're doing well for him, will stick with you.''

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