Lee Johnson: 'I'll be looking to add pace and power in the January transfer window'

Johnson took charge of his first game in charge of the Black Cats this afternoon, but things did not go to plan as Sunderland slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of a Wigan Athletic side that started the day at the foot of the League One table.

Despite enjoying plenty of possession, Johnson’s side failed to penetrate the Wigan defence, with their ponderous and predictable attacking play making it easy for the Latics to shut them out.

Phil Parkinson repeatedly bemoaned the fact that Sunderland’s ability to make transfers was severely restricted by League One’s salary cap, but Johnson is hoping to be able to reshape his squad with a couple of additions when the transfer window reopens next month.

He said: “I do think it looks like we need a bit of help in terms of a couple of attributes. Maybe we need a couple of extra personnel if possible in January.

“Maybe somebody to stretch the game in a certain position, maybe we need a bit of extra pace and power. I think that will open it up for other players to come in to it – that would be a priority.”

In the meantime, Johnson will be urging his side to get more players into the opposition’s penalty area when they attack.

He set his side up in a 4-3-3 formation this afternoon, with Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire starting on either side of Will Grigg, and was disappointed by the lack of numbers in the Wigan 18-yard box when his side was on the attack.

Johnson said: “We definitely need to go back onto the training ground and work on movement in the box. We’re looking for players to get across the near post to disrupt the opposition back four, and then we need more bodies in the box.

“We were playing a 4-3-3 today to start with, and that should enable you to get at least four into the box, sometimes five. I just think at times, whether through a lack of understanding or cohesion, we didn’t get enough numbers into the box and also didn’t get enough quality, dynamic movement.”