NEW Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson has switched training to the Stadium of Light in a desperate attempt to restore home rule on Wearside.

Wilkinson, successor to the sacked Peter Reid, launches his reign with a crucial home game against bottom club West Ham today, determined to banish the fear that has gripped Sunderland in front of their own fans.

The Stadium of Light has been plunged into gloom this calendar year, with the 1-0 win over Aston Villa three weeks ago being Sunderland's first home victory this season and only their third in 14 games at a ground which was once regarded as a fortress.

Wilkinson, who takes over a side fourth bottom in the Premiership and only three points ahead of today's opponents, said: "We have trained at the stadium and that was a conscious decision.

"Firstly, the climate and conditions are more conducive than at Whitburn, and secondly - if it's necessary - we need to make the stadium a friendly place.

"Statistically, it hasn't been a happy place. The fear factor plays a part. The Fulham game (Sunderland lost 3-0) was a classic example.

"We battered Fulham then conceded a cheap goal and from that moment we were a different team.

"It's not a crime to be knocked down, but it is a crime to not get up again. We have to take advantage of being at home.''

Tough taskmaster Wilkinson, in tandem with assistant Steve Cotterill, has been putting his charges through daily morning and afternoon training sessions as part of a rigorous new regime.

But he stressed: "The players have had the heart-rate monitors on, so we know the work they've done will not have physically drained them.

"But, mentally, it will have been different. We're asking the players to trust us. The next four or five weeks will be important. That's when we hope to bring about most changes.

"It's the early days of a courtship, and in that situation most people are on their best behaviour. Let us see what things are like when we've been married a year.

"But the response from the players has been very positive. They've knuckled down to a change in the way some things are done.

"Some basic things I detected in them we are trying to put right. You can have a million excuses for what might have gone wrong, but it's reasons that matter.

"One thing we've tried not to do is dwell on the past, whether it was two or three years ago when we were flying or last season when we were struggling.

"We have good players and if they play to their potential, which I am sure they will, we are worthy of a better position.

"But that's on paper, and paper players win paper cups.

"They're not on trial and it's not life or death. If you made a game life or death, you would be dead a lot!''

Former FA technical director Wilkinson has likened himself and ex-Stoke boss Cotterill to "Siamese twins'' as they have worked round the clock in their first full week on Wearside.

"I've enjoyed being back on the training ground - it's second nature to me,'' said Wilkinson. "I didn't realise how much I'd missed it.

"I suppose that's the value of having a very interesting and, I hope, productive sabbatical as far as working for the FA was concerned.

"I don't mind taking a risk and accepting a challenge like I am doing here. I don't want to spoil my cv by coming here, I want to improve it and I think I have the opportunity to do that. It's not a bad cv, but hopefully we can make it a better one.''

Striker Kevin Phillips is poised to return after a six-week lay-off following a hernia operation and face a Hammers side managed by Glenn Roeder, who gave him his big break at Watford when he moved from non-league Baldock Town.

With goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen out for up to three months with a dislocated elbow, and Thomas Myhre doubtful with a thigh injury, Austrian Jurgen Macho is on stand-by to make only his tenth senior start and first since Sunderland were beaten 4-1 at Manchester United in February.

Wilkinson has promised a clean slate for the likes of Stefan Schwarz and Stan Varga, who were transfer-listed by Reid.

"I don't have any preconceptions about them,'' said Wilkinson. "They will be looked at in the same light as everyone else."

Vinnie toasts his old boss

HOWARD WILKINSON marked his appointment at Sunderland with a champagne celebration - courtesy of Vinnie Jones.

Football hardman-turned-Hollywood actor Jones was among the first to congratulate Wilkinson on his move to the Stadium of Light.

"A lot of players have sent me stuff and, as usual with Vinnie, it was Dom Perignon,'' revealed Wilkinson.

"When you are a Hollywood star, you can afford these things.

"Vinnie is a terrific friend and an awful enemy.

"Bobby Robson rang me as well - and I was late for training!''

Sunderland's decision to turn to Wilkinson following the sacking of Peter Reid drew widespread criticism.

But Wilkinson said: "The feedback I have had from the fans I have met and who have written, and from people in the game, has been fantastic, particularly from those I've worked with and know me.''

Jones, who played under Wilkinson at Leeds, said: "It's a fantastic appointment. He's simply an awesome fellow and it's spot on for Sunderland.

"He is the perfect manager to come in, sort it out and start afresh. There is nobody better than him at getting things done.

"It amazes me that he has received stick and that Sunderland have been criticised."

Wilkinson plans a low-key entrance at today's home game against West Ham. He said: "It's not my style to wander around with my hands in the air - I find that embarrassing. But I might manage a wave.''

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