Gus Poyet 'bans backwards and sideways passes in training'

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet put a quota on sideways and backwards passes in training this week as they prepare for their FA Cup tie at Bradford City.

Poyet was annoyed with his side's inability to 'pass the ball three yards to each other' during their Premier League home defeat to Queens Park Rangers in midweek.

Consequently, he has encouraged a more direct playing style in training, which may pay dividends on a worn Valley Parade pitch not conducive to a short passing game.

He is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I made up a rule in some of the sessions where there weren't too many passes backwards or sideways.

"How many times have we played out from the back in the last three months? Hardly ever, but we should really be playing every single ball. We're not, and that's because I am adapting because we can't.

"The arrival of Jermain Defoe has given us something extra, but now maybe we need something different again. What that difference is, I need to find."

Sunderland beat Fulham after a replay to reach the last 16, while Bradford famously conquered Chelsea in what has been described as the biggest upset in FA Cup history.