Dean Whitehead says Sunderland's players are responding to manager Ricky Sbragia's warm approach.

"Things haven't changed a drastic amount since Ricky took over it's just little things he's done differently that have had a big impact," Whitehead told The Journal.

"Each week he brings in slight changes or new stuff to try and I think the lads are really plugging in to it - and it's showing the benefit on the pitch, which is what really matters.

"We've worked a lot on set- pieces and ways to break the opposition down and I think when you look at how we competed with Arsenal, it seems to be working.

"He has a more relaxed approach than Roy Keane. Ricky has been looking to me and Yorkie to keep him informed of the mood in the camp, share the views of the players, that type of thing.

"I'm finding that much more comfortable actually. I've had a lot of dialogue with the manager since he's taken over and that's good for me and I'm really enjoying it.

"The players now know that they are being listened to, which maybe hadn't always been the case."