LEE JOHNSON admits he was concerned at some of the things he witnessed during Sunderland’s 2-1 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle last night – and has warned anyone failing to buy in to the culture he wants to introduce on Wearside that he will not hesitate in moving them on.

The Black Cats crashed to their fourth home loss of the season in the league, a result that leaves them outside the play-off positions and still searching for their first league victory under Johnson at the Stadium of Light.

Since arriving as Phil Parkinson’s successor at the start of last month, Johnson has talked repeatedly about the need to introduce a new attitude and philosophy within the playing squad.

He has seen positive signs, most notably in the away victories at Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon, but has stressed he will not tolerate any deviation from the approach he wants to adopt.

“It’s a wonderful club,” said Johnson. “But I think there’s a lot of work to do. A lot of work. There was even some culture errors today, which I don’t like.

“I want to be able to go to sleep at night knowing that whatever goes on externally, myself and my squad have got that consistency of believing in each other.

“I want us to look after each other – we have to create that cause from within and be a family. It’s really important that the lads buy in to that – and anyone who doesn’t will be gone, quicker than you can say their name.”

Last night’s game, which saw Sunderland concede what proved to be Plymouth’s winning goal within five minutes of claiming an equaliser through Aiden O’Brien, took place despite the heavy showers that swept across the North-East throughout the afternoon.

Puddles of water were evident on the playing surface before kick-off, but thanks to a committed effort from the Stadium of Light ground-staff, the pitch just about held up. It was in a badly-rutted condition by the time the final whistle blew, and even before last night’s deluge, Johnson had concluded investment is required into both the playing surface at the Stadium of Light and Academy of Light training ground.

“We’re going to need to invest in pitches,” he said. “That’s at the training ground and here. If you want to play fast, zippy attacking football, it does slow us down.

“The man of the match today was the groundsman, he was absolutely outstanding to get this game on. All of our ground-staff have been brilliant, but they need investment in their area of the club.

“I think it’s something that’s been dripped and drained away, and it does become an important part of the way we want to play.”