Football
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Sunderland boss Gus Poyet backs playing style changes

Gus Poyet has said he will continue to do it his way as he attempts to rid Sunderland of their footballing schizophrenia.

The Black Cats' head coach was horrified to see his team revert to type on Tuesday evening when their four-game unbeaten run in all competitions went up in flames as previously pointless travellers QPR left the Stadium of Light with the most rare of victories.

Poyet later accused his players of responding to the frustrations of the home crowd by abandoning the philosophy he has attempted to instil over the last 16 months and suggested the fans wanted them to play long-ball football, prompting a social media backlash.

However, the 47-year-old was largely unrepentant as he prepared for Sunday's tricky FA Cup fifth round trip to League One Bradford.

Asked if he stands by his method, he said: "Yes, because I have done it all the time, because I believe in what I do, because I am trying to adapt a lot to what is needed.

"I know more what people like and what people don't like, I know the atmosphere that we need to play at the Stadium of Light, I know that it doesn't matter what you say or what you do, it's all about winning football games.

"I am hearing plenty of managers saying the right words week in, week out and then seeing plenty of big banners asking for the head of the manager.

"Does it mean that if I say the right words that people want to hear, I am going to be in the job? I want to be in the job because we win football games and we play the way I think we should play.

"How close? How far? I don't know, we'll see, so I am not bothered at all, I promise you."

Poyet employed a phrase in the immediate aftermath the midweek defeat which has become something of a black comedy mantra on Wearside over the years when he dubbed the performance as "typical Sunderland," and he admits he is no closer to understanding why they repeatedly regress after seemingly taking steps forward.

He said: "No, no, to be honest, no. I know that there are things that need to change. The word 'change' brings nerves and drama, and sometimes you need to go through that period with a little bit of calmness, and that's what I am going to try to bring.

"There is no better way of doing that than winning. If you win, it's easier to change and to bring something positive into the team."

Sunderland will once again be backed by a travelling following of around 4,000 at the Coral Windows Stadium, some of whom will remain unimpressed by the Uruguayan's latest post-match comments, although he has no problem with that.

He said: "The fans are commenting because they care about the club the same way that I care. I can promise you I care more than anyone because I am the one leading the team out.

"Opinions, everybody has got their opinions. I have got mine and I have got no problem with people making their opinions.''

However, he is hoping to build bridges by guiding his side into the quarter-finals for the second successive season by seeing off the threat of Chelsea's shock fourth round conquerors on a pitch at which even Bantams boss Phil Parkinson shakes his head.

Poyet said: "I don't think we are going to be able to play football, to be honest, this weekend, so yes, we are looking for a result. We want to be in the next round somehow.

"When luck becomes part of the game so much, I am just looking for a result somehow, and that's the way we are going to play the game.''

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