The on-loan Spurs right-back had a solid enough debut against Wigan on Saturday, but he has no intention of resting on his laurels and is already looking forward to getting his first win in Sunderland colours under his belt.

"My debut went OK, but it was not ideal, getting a draw," he said. "You take the point and move on to the next game.

"There are quality players here, as there were at Spurs, but they have had a bad run of results and you just have to pick yourself up."

The 25-year-old said that the fact home fans at the Stadium of Light were clearly unhappy at half-time and full-time in Saturday's game, will not deter him – instead he will use it as motivation.

"Getting booed does not give me any problems," he shrugged.

"They pay their money and they are entitled to a performance. You just have to show them what you can do.

"It spurs me on because I want to show people what I can do and that is what we all did in the second half.

"It is a bit of confidence we need at the moment, but we have the talent.

"Maybe heads are down a wee bit, but we can build on the second half and take it from there.

"No one wants to be drawn into a relegation battle, but the league is so tight at the bottom.

"I relish the challenge and I will be doing my best to get us out of trouble.

"It is such a close league. Win our next two or three and we are right back up there."

The Scotland international, who is hoping to impress enough to earn a permanent deal this summer, believes that ultimately the home fans will be a major weapon in Sunderland's favour.

"The crowd can benefit us," he said. "We get big support.

"It is not until you come here you realise how big the club is.

"I am not surprised about the size of the support, and the squads at Spurs and here are relatively the same – we are just on a poor run.

"It is just a case of turning it around with a bit of luck."