Sunderland were beaten 2-1 at Villa Park on Tuesday after Coleman was forced to field a makeshift side featuring a number of players out of position.
Despite the defeat and the lack of options, the former Wales boss insists that there are positive signs to be taken from the performance
"When you see players doing that and trying their best you know you have something to work with," he explained. "There has to be consistency and there has to be an offering from all of us every time we take to the pitch," he told BBC Newcastle.
"You're going to win, you're going to lose, you're going to draw, and when you're down there it seems like you're losing more.
"But again, who else is going to come and get a result, who else is going to come and perform?"
Sunderland spent just £1.75m during the summer following relegation, but speaking to 'BBC Newcastle', Coleman insists that he knows all about the financial situation facing him in the North East.
"I spoke with chief executive Martin Bain who impressed me a great deal, he gave me a full run down - warts and all - so I'm under no illusions," Coleman explained.
"We've got to find a footing and consistency in performances - build on that and results start coming."