Sunderland must build on the momentum gained during pre-season, according to Jack Rodwell.
The Black Cats head to Manchester City this afternoon as they begin their 2016-17 Premier League campaign.
With the spirit from last season still ripe in the squad, the Lads returned to pre-season at the start of July and enjoyed a rigorous fitness-fuelled schedule.
Following an intense 10-day training camp in Austria, domestic victories over Hartlepool United and Rotherham United saw the Lads clock some valuable minutes under their belts.
Three undefeated fixtures in France followed before a final morale boosting performance saw David Moyes' side cancel out a star-studded Borussia Dortmund’s lead to earn a valiant draw.
With the new campaign just a matter of hours away, Rodwell is relishing getting back into the thick of the action and has admitted last season’s spirit will be key.
“It’s what you are waiting for at the first day of pre-season and we can’t wait to get going,” he boomed.
“In pre-season we have looked solid, we have kept things tight and we have played well as a team. We have carried on from last season because in the back end of the season we started to click with the new signings and we played some great football.”
He continued: “We have taken the momentum from last season into our training and everyone is on it. If we can carry that on into the new season then I’m sure we will do really well.
“We can’t look past this weekend because it’s a big game at Man City, we want to get off to a good start so we have got to be on it."
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