Dennis Cirkin is ready for the step up to the Championship with Sunderland after cutting his teeth in League One. Cirkin joined the Black Cats last summer from Spurs and had to adjust quickly to senior football, having played at U23 level at White Hart Lane.
The 20-year-old admits he had to learn as he went along, but believes he is in a much better place as he gears up for his second season as a first-teamer. "I wouldn't say I adapted comfortably [last season]," said Cirkin.
"I did go through some learning experiences and that's definitely helped me. A change of manager is something I've never had before so I think it all just shaped me and this season hopefully will be good.
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"There have been a lot of things to learn - the physicality, the mentality, having that two games a week, and always travelling. Obviously this is my first proper pre-season at Sunderland because I missed a little bit of last season.
"I've been happy with how it's gone so far. We've set out every game to win, obviously it doesn’t happen all the time but we have definitely got that winning mentality now."
Cirkin has impressed in Sunderland's pre-season, showing a willingness to get forward and attack from left-back at every opportunity. He said: "I think personally I'm trying to build that part of my game.
"Last season when the new gaffer came in I think I solidified the other side of the game, the defending, so locking the ball in and working hard off the ball. That's something I'm trying to build on this pre-season as well is just going forward with the ball because I know it will be important in the Championship.
"I think getting forward is definitely something the gaffer wants me to do and I feel like it can come from me as well. Doing both sides of the game and just pushing myself is what I’m trying to do this pre-season so I'm ready for it."
Sunderland lost their latest pre-season friendly 2-1 at Accrington Stanley on Saturday, despite dominating the majority of the game and creating a series of excellent chances. But they have one more warm-up game to fine-tune their preparations at Hartlepool United tonight, ahead of the Championship opener at home to Coventry City next Sunday.
Cirkin said: "It's been a good pre-season so far and the most important thing is getting minutes. A lot of us are getting that and there have been no injuries thankfully.
"It's just all about preparing for the first game and then trying to win every single game - obviously it's not always going to happen, like Saturday. The most important thing at the moment is just getting ready for that first game against Coventry.
"I just can't wait now, to be honest. I'm excited."
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