Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is trying to rebuild the confidence of Adam Johnson.
The £10million signing from Manchester City lost his place in the England squad and Poyet feels he has suffered for the turmoil at Sunderland.
Poyet said: "It has not been easy for Jonno to find his form consistently. We are trying to get the best out of him.
"One way is to play him until he gets it and another is to put him on the bench and give him 20 minutes when the opposition is tired or we need extra quality.
"Somehow, it is not working so we need to find a different solution.
"There have been so many things going on in the last two years at this club. It has not been easy for a personality like Jonno to understand everything.
"People think because he came from Manchester City - and how expensive he was - that he is the one who needs to make the difference in every single minute with every single ball but it doesn't work like that.
"He is a player who plays a certain type of game and we need to do better to give him the option to perform.
"We have not found that way because the team has been up and down and not consistent enough.
"There are plenty of things we need to work on for Adam to take advantage of. But then, of course, it is his responsibility.
"I try to analyse my own part a lot and I am trying to be very critical of myself as to why I cannot get the best out of Jonno - but I will keep trying.''
