Lynden Gooch believes the bond of trust between himself and head coach Lee Johnson is stronger than ever as Sunderland kicked off their League One campaign with a win against Wigan Athletic.
Johnson took over in December last year, meaning he had limited time to work with the players he inherited amidst the demands of a packed schedule.
But Johnson is now at the start of his first full season in charge of the Black Cats, and the players have had the chance to work with him in pre-season and take onboard the philosophy which he could only sketch out last term.
And it appears to have had an immediate impact with Johnson saying Gooch's performance against Wigan was his best since he took over, and the USA international agrees.
"Quite possibly it was, yes," he said.
"I felt good, I felt strong, I had a good pre-season aside from a minor [hamstring] issue, and I feel really fit.
"When the gaffer came in last season we were fully into games, we've had that bit more time to work with each other and that trust is mutual.
"I think he's got to know me, the type of person I am, and he trusts me in multiple positions because he knows what I can do wherever he puts me on the park."
Gooch started wide on the right before dropping to right-back later in the game, and that versatility makes him a useful asset.
Gooch said: "He knows that I want to play higher up, but there are times when I am going to need to fill in, and I don't mind that."
Sunderland came from behind to win 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, with Gwion Edwards' early opener cancelled out within two minutes as Aiden McGeady scored from the penalty spot after Ross Stewart had been brought down.
And then Stewart headed the winning goal just after half-time, while Gooch was inches away from adding a third when he hit the underside of the crossbar midway through the second period.
Gooch said: "It was a good performance on Saturday. I was obviously disappointed that I didn't get the goal which I wanted, but it was a big win for us.
"We played some brilliant stuff and controlled the game.
"I thought Ross was brilliant.
"He was a bit isolated at times in the first half so we changed it to get more bodies round him and help him out."
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