Denver Hume has revealed the training ground instruction from Phil Parkinson which contributed to Sunderland's opening goal in the victory at Oxford United.
The Black Cats picked up their first win of the season at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, with strikes from Luke O'Nien and Lynden Gooch securing all three points.
Hume and O'Nien were once again tasked with providing the width for Sunderland in the 5-3-2 formation which has become a staple under Parkinson.
The pair combined for the opening goal, with a deflected cross from the Black Cats' academy graduate finding O'Nien at the far post, and the 25-year-old confidently dispatched the ball past Simon Eastwood.
Speaking after the victory, Hume admits the wing-back role is one he enjoys, and outlined why Parkinson is keen for both wide men to target the far posts in their attacks.
Hume told the club's website: "We're working a lot in training, the gaffer wants us to get in at the back stick.
"It came from my cross, it got deflected, it went to Luke and it was a good finish. It was brilliant.
"I think the role suits me really well and it suits the rest of the team. Obviously, me and Luke are playing there at the minute, and I think it's a formation we play well.
"We've played it for a while now, and I think you can see the improvement from when we first played it last season to now. We've worked on it a lot, and I think it's starting to show."
The Black Cats made sure of the result late on, with Gooch coming on a substitute to net a stunning solo effort.
Hume had nothing but praise for his fellow academy graduate, labelling it as a "moment of magic".
The wing-back added: "Goochy has got that ability. He's come on and he's produced a moment of magic.
"It's killed the game off and got us the three points."
