Luke O'Nien is feeling positive heading into the new season, after a solid pre-season at Sunderland.
The Black Cats will host Hull City on Saturday in the first round of the Carabao Cup in what will be their first competitive fixture for almost six months.
Pre-season has been unusual this summer, with restrictions in place due to COVID-19 limiting what Sunderland could do. As such, Phil Parkinson's side managed to book in just three friendlies over seven days, culminating in Saturday's 1-0 win over Harrogate Town.
And with victories also coming against Gateshead and Carlisle United, O'Nien feels enthused about their 100 per cent winning record.
"Good habits are important, just getting that winning mentality," he said.
"It’s all about habits; defenders keeping clean sheets and our strikers scoring.
"I think we’re very prepared.
"We’ve had a good amount of time together, the management team have looked after us. We’ve been worked hard, we’re a fit team and I feel like it’s coming together.
"We’re in a really good place, we’ve just to keep building."
While the priority for Sunderland this season will once again be the league, and gaining promotion back to the Championship, they first start their campaign with two cup games. Hull's visit precedes Aston Villa's under-21s visiting in the EFL Trophy.
And while both will be used largely to get more minutes into the legs, and as a chance for players to impress and earn the starting spots, O'Nien believes beating Hull, in particular, will be good way to set an early benchmark - with the Tigers expected to be a promotion rival after their relegation to League One.
"Hull coming down from the Championship, they’re going to be a good team," he said.
"It’s just as important a game as any other to us, to build on what we’ve done in pre-season so far.
"It’s a good start to the season and a good benchmark for us."
