New Raiders head coach Tony Sparano met with his players Wednesday, detailed what to expect the remainder of the season and then sent them away for four days as is the norm during a team’s bye week.

Several players interviewed said they were told to expect changes from the way things operated under fired coach Dennis Allen. Just the same, those changes won’t be drastic.

“We haven’t figured out the answers yet,” right guard Austin Howard said, “but we are very much all on the same page of understanding that we have to figure this out soon and do whatever we can to turn things around.”

Howard played for Sparano in 2012 when Sparano was the New York Jets offensive coordinator. They were reunited this season when Howard signed with the Raiders.

Howard said sudden coaching changes can go one way or the other. He is confident that the Raiders will flourish under Sparano, who said there will be a change in philosophy.

“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve had in my career,” Howard said. “The guy really understands how to get the players motivated, get us all on the same page. He knows how to win games. He’s turned a lot of programs around. It’s kind of crazy what’s going on right now but we’re excited to have him and we’re ready to follow his lead.”

Allen got fired Monday night by general manager Reggie McKenzie in large part because of how poorly the Raiders played in their 0-4 start.

Safety Usama Young said he spoke with Allen by phone. They were with the New Orleans Saints from 2007-10, during which time Allen primarily was the defensive backs coach and the Saints won a Super Bowl.

He said it hurt to see Allen get fired for something that everyone had a hand in doing. At the same time, he added, it’s time to move on.

McKenzie and Sparano made it clear in Sparano’s introductory news conference Tuesday that the players on the Raiders 53-man roster are talented enough to win games on a consistent basis.

“I’ve been on several teams and this is, by far, one of the most talented ones that I’ve been around,” Young said. “We’re not producing, we’re not getting wins early on but it’s still very early in the season. We still got 12 games left and we’re looking forward to those 12.”

Quarterback Derek Carr was hand picked by Allen to be the Raiders opening-game starter, the first Raiders rookie ever to do so.

He was one of the players Allen was counting upon as the foundation for future success.

“A good man lost his job, obviously,” Carr said. “Everyone has to take responsibility for that, not just him. We needed to play better because he’s a good coach. And he’s going to have another great job when that time comes.”

Wide receiver Andre Holmes agreed with everyone else about there being plenty of blame to go around.

For things to change under Sparano, though, the players have to find ways to turn their words into actions and those actions to effect different and better results.

“Obviously, there as to be some change,” Holmes said, “whether it’s on us in our effort, on us in how we study the game — and I’m only speaking as far as the players — whatever it is, we need to make that next step and we need to do it.”

Note: Carr said his sprained left ankle and medial collateral ligament are healing well. He didn’t rule out the possibility of starting against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 12, when the Raiders return from their bye.

“We’re taking it day at a time, but knowing myself, I’ll be ready — that’s my answer, that’s my goal,” Carr said. “I’ve just got to continue to work hard to get ready.”