Chris Coleman has admitted he will have to change things at Sunderland after defeat against Preston made it ten games without a win.

Despite that, the Black Cats are only five points away from safety with none of the sides above them really pulling away in recent weeks.

However, the former Wales boss was only concentrating on his own side and admitted he must make significant changes.

"I don’t want to give my lot any excuses by saying it’s still only five points, we’ve got to do something different. What have got to lose now? If we don’t try something different, it doesn’t look like we’re going to get away from where we are," he told the Sunderland Echo.

Coleman also acknowledged that there was a huge lack of confidence around the club that meant the game felt like it was over as soon as North End took the lead on Saturday.

"As soon as we conceded the first goal, everyone got sucked down again and there was a feeling that this is never going to turn around."

The Verdict

Sunderland fans will be glad that Coleman is honest about the current situation and clearly something needs to change, be it formation, style, personnel.

Either way, if it carries on like it is then relegation is inevitable and it's hard to see how they make up the five-point deficit given the way they're playing.

The lack of confidence that Coleman speaks of is only going to change with a win and that looks highly unlikely at the minute.

Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know in the comments below.