SUNDERLAND’S players are being given homework in a bid to turn things around after a depressing few years on Wearside.

Sam Allardyce has always been a manager for statistics, and as well as expecting his players to stay behind after training sessions to put in extra work on improving the weaker side of their game, Allardyce has gone a step further by sending them data to consider.

The Sunderland boss has asked his performance analysts to send each individual a review of their work on the training ground and Premier League stage for their perusal.

That might have become more common in recent years as football has moved on, but Allardyce demands the players he has inherited take greater notice than they have under previous managers.

He said: “It's very important to us. But there's so much data, so much statistical analysis there's almost too much. You've got to be very careful about what you use.

“I think if a player can digest his own statistical information away from the football club, in his own time, when he's not under any pressure without a coach standing over him it can help him.

“On the day we play we're all emotional; a player might perhaps think he's done better than he did or maybe he didn't play as badly as he thought.

"You can use as much or as little information as you feel is right for you. I can say 'I've given you the information. My responsibility's over now. I've given everything I can to help you become a better player. It's up to you now. Hopefully you're going to accept that responsibility by using that information to help me’. I judge players in both areas now.”

Allardyce is a big believer in players working on their own to improve after a training session.

And even if there is a player in the Sunderland squad who disagrees, he would like to think that a look at the data will persuade him that more needs to be done to help the team.

"More than anything it's about staying fit,” he said. “It's about injury prevention and using the information we give them to get better (as players).

“You want lots of choices, lots of options and to be disappointing some people by not putting them on the bench. That should make them hungrier.

“If they accept that there's something wrong. They shouldn't accept it, they should try to do more to say to the manger 'you should be picking me, giving me a chance."