Sunderland were beaten 3-1 by Reading in their most recent match.
Chris Coleman has told the Chronicle that he has no issue with Sunderland fans leaving early.
The Stadium of Light was almost empty at the weekend, as Sunderland were beaten 3-1 by Reading.
Sunderland were 3-0 down in the contest, and there was a vast amount of empty seats on display, when Sunderland tucked home a consolation from the penalty spot.
And Coleman insists that he has no issue with Sunderland fans leaving the ground early.
“I understood it, totally,” Coleman said. “You’ve got to feel sorry for the fans as well. Even if they boo for 90 minutes, they’re still here.
“We’ve got to try and look after them, and it’s only us who can change the mood. Up until the sending off it was okay but we’ve got to do better when it goes against us. You can’t be so downhearted and downbeat that you lose the grip of a game.
“This place could be such a powerful place for us, but we’ve got to get them with us. We’ve got to make sure that when they show up next time at home, we send them home with a smile on their face.”
Coleman’s comments are the direct opposite of how Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway coped recently, wen his side’s supporters left early.
Holloway criticised QPR fans who left before full-time and missed two late goals, as his side battled back against Brentford recently.
Sunderland fans have witnessed far less success than the Loftus Road crowd of late, which is, perhaps, why Coleman was more sympathetic.
Sunderland have not won a home match for almost a year now, with their struggles at the Stadium of Light becoming very concerning.
Sunderland are currently in 23rd place in the Championship table, with their next match coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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