Stephen Elliott: This is why Luke O'Nien is so crucial for Sunderland

And that Sunderland player was makeshift centre back, Luke O’Nien. And this is why he is so crucial to Sunderland and manager Tony Mowbray, despite the defeat to West Brom at the Stadium of Light on Monday evening.

I am probably doing him an injustice calling him a makeshift centre-back as since he has gone in there he has improved vastly. The biggest compliment I can give him, is that he looks more comfortable there than in any other position he has played since he has come to the club.

He wins his headers as well as positioning himself in areas where he often gets important blocks and interceptions in. As well as that, when he needs to, he is aggressive enough to make last gasp challenges that often gets his teammates, who have made errors, out of trouble.

O’Nien is not the most naturally gifted player in the Sunderland team but if every player showed even 80% of the hunger and desire O’Nien shows every week, then this Sunderland squad could easily finish in a play-off position come the end of the season in the Championship.

Club favourite Stephen Elliott writes exclusively for the Echo every week bringing you his expert eye on all things red and white as Sunderland return to the Championship after four years in League One.