Assistant manager Glynn Snodin is relishing the task at hand after following Simon Grayson to the Stadium of Light.
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Snodin, who turned out for the likes of Doncaster Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday as a player, has been Grayson’s right-hand man since the duo took charge at Elland Road in February 2009.
The pair have enjoyed considerable success over the last eight years winning promotion with Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Preston North End – and now they’ve set their sights on the promised land as the Black Cats target a top-flight return.
Currently overseeing a pre-season training camp in Austria, Grayson and Snodin have been thrust into the heart of the action but the assistant manager insists it couldn’t have come at a better time as they get to know the club – and more importantly the people.
“We want to bring enjoyment and we want to get the best out of everybody from the players to the office staff – we’re all one and we all have to work together,” said Snodin.
“When the players come into training we want them to enjoy it and when they leave we want them to be looking forward to the next day, but it will be a high intensity and we want them to train as they play.
“If they give the ball away we want them to react and we want them to work hard, as we have a feel for the club and an idea about what the fans want and that is a team that is going to give everything.
“We have a manager who will make sure they do that because he’s very hands-on and the lads will enjoy that, but at the same time they have to show why they deserve to be in that starting XI – or at the very least the 18 – when we face Derby County.
“We have a fanatical support at home so we have to make it a fortress and we know we’re going to be backed by thousands away, and hopefully many more will come because we’re playing exciting football.
“We want to get this club promoted and it might be easy to say that now – there will be 23 others teams saying exactly the same – but this club can.”
And Snodin has a unique insight into what it takes to impress the red and white army, with his brother, Ian, making six appearances for the Lads.
“My brother said it’s a fantastic club and that you’d have to be crackers to turn down a job like this!
“He’s big mates with Reidy who had a fantastic time here and what a team he built, and we want to bring those times back.”