Luke O'Nien says Sunderland have proved over the first quarter of the season they can cope at Championship level. The Black Cats won promotion from League One via the play-offs in May, and with a young squad that contains limited second-tier experience, no-one knew how they would deal with the step up.
But Sunderland have made a good start to life back in the Championship, with their weekend draw at home to Preston moving them on to 16 points from their first 11 games - a tally which leaves them eighth in the table following Watford's win at Stoke yesterday. "I feel like even in League One there were difficult games and different challenges and I think it's the same in this league," said O'Nien.
"There are going to be better players but the challenges are still something that we have to overcome together and we have the players that have been dealing with the level very,very well. Credit to the rest of the players and staff for setting us all up well.
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"We are working hard together and we just have to continue to do that. I think we are sitting not too bad in the table.
"There is room for improvement and room to do better but I feel like we have a real good squad. In terms of going in every day it's enjoyable, the lads are learning fast and we are in a good position.
"It's important now that we keep going up, we keep improving and keep getting better."
Sunderland also had to cope with a change of head coach back in August when their promotion-winning boss Alex Neil left to take charge of Stoke, with Tony Mowbray replacing him. O'Nien said of Mowbray: "He's been brilliant.
"His door is always open and he's always talking to the boys.
"The gaffer has been great with us and given us information and is working us hard. I've really enjoyed working under him and just looking forward to him more."
Sunderland earned a goalless draw against Preston, with the visitors proving a tough nut to crack given that they boast the tightest defence in the Championship. O'Nien said: "Yeah, we're pleased with the clean sheet but we are always going for the three points, and I feel like we created the chances but just didn't quite hit the back of the net.
"It's pleasing that we got a good point against a good team but we want the three points so we'll come away and look at it and get better as a team."
An injury to summer addition Daniel Ballard back in August has seen O'Nien filling the right-sided centre-back role in Sunderland back three over the last eight games, but the versatile midfielder is no stranger to being played in central defence. He said: "I'm enjoying it.
"I'm just always looking to improve and help the team with good performances. Whatever position that is, I'm trying my hardest, learning from the people around me and doing my best."
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