Gus Poyet had some words of praise for Liam Bridcutt after the new signing was thrown straight into the starting lineup in today's Tyne-Wear Derby;
Liam Bridcutt knows the defensive midfielder role I want us to play perfectly. So I was not worried.
If there's one person that knows the role better than anyone else in the world, it is Liam and the best thing for him is that we won, we kept a clean sheet and he got through 90 minutes having not played all month.
Briductt had an outstanding debut after being given the nod in place of an injured Lee Cattermole. Bridcutt looks well on the way to securing the role full-time if he can keep up such a level of play.
The former Brighton and Chelsea midfielder went about his business well, defending in front of the defence and mopping up behind Ki Sung-Yeung and Jack Colback.
Here's hoping it's onwards and upwards for Bridcutt and Sunderland.