Lee Cattermole has hailed the importance of taking a winning mentality into the new season.
Goals from the in-form duo Josh Maja and Jeremain Lens got Sunderland on their way to victory at Valley Parade on Saturday, with Billy Jones adding a third before the midway interval.
Bradford City mounted a comeback charge in the second period, reducing the arrears to within a goal in the dying embers, but it proved to be in vain as Simon Grayon’s men had done enough with their first-half showing.
Speaking to safc.com, Cattermole, 29, highlighted the attitude of his team-mates, admitting the spirit that is developing in the squad is one built on hunger to win games.
“We are getting closer now, we have got two games to go but we are talking about winning,” he said.
“We are creating that winning mentality. I’ve just been chatting to a few of the boys and as group I don’t think we are used to winning games regularly. We need to create that environment where we are demanding those results.
“It is not always going to be pretty, it is not always going to look good but the manager has been stressing to us that, that’s not always what you need to get out of this division.
“We are learning all the time and if you look at the performance and the attitude of the lads (at Bradford) they showed a lot of commitment.
“It is a new challenge, there have been a lot of changes at the club and everyone is approaching it in the right manner.
“We are excited and we are looking forward to it,” he continued.
“We have got a mixed group of English, foreign, old and young so it is great and everyone is approaching each day with a great attitude and everyone is taking on board what the manager’s methods.
“It is just about making sure in your head you are ready for it because you don’t want to get caught off guard.
“If you look at the last two performances you can see that the lads are focused and really driven to go and win games.”