Promotion isn’t out of reach just yet for Cats, admits O’Nien
Luke O’Nien says the League One title remains ‘well up for grabs’ – as Sunderland look to bounce back from their defeat to Charlton Athletic.
The Black Cats were beaten for the first time since February 9 as Charlton left the Stadium of Light with maximum points on Saturday afternoon, in a result which saw the side lose ground on the top two.
But with games in hand and a crunch clash with table-topping Hull City coming up, O’Nien is adamant that automatic promotion is still a distinct possibility.
And above that, the defender believes that the title isn’t out of the equation just yet.
"Ask any player in the changing room, any member of staff – the top two, the top spot, is still well up for grabs,” he said.
"It’s easy to get down on one defeat but there’s so much to go and in our eyes, it’s still in our hands because we’ve still got to play Hull.
"We’ve just got to go and win.
"There’ll be plenty of chopping and changing before the end of the season, I can assure you of that.”
Part of O’Nien’s belief is fuelled by the mentality inside the Sunderland dressing room – with their high standards leading to the long unbeaten run that preceded the Charlton game.
And while that means that while there is some real disappointment among the playing squad at that run coming to an end, there is also a sense of perspective after the club’s surge up the table in recent months.
"Nobody likes to lose games, but it’s the time to reflect and learn and become better players and people – and that’s what we’re going to do now,” O’Nien explained.
"There’s a few people down but at the same time we’ve been on a hell of a run of form.
"Now we’ve just got to go on another one and there’s no better time than the Tuesday game coming up.
"You’ve got a changing room full of winners in there.
"Nobody likes to lose, whether it’s five-a-side in training, and that’s just the standards we’ve set.
"People are disappointed, but we’ve just got to go and put things right.”
O’Nien is likely to play a key role in Sunderland’s final seven games of the season, although it remains to be seen in what position that will be.
Lee Johnson admitted this week that he was unsure what the future held for the 26-year-old, who has filled in at centre back in recent weeks given injuries to key men.
But with Bailey Wright and Tom Flanagan nearing returns, a decision will soon have to be made on where O’Nien can make the most impact.
The man himself, however, is just happy to see some important players nearing a return.
"I think it’s perfect having all the boys coming back at this crucial time of the season,” he admitted.
"Bailey Wright is not only a hell of a player, he’s a good leader.
"We’ve got Flanno coming back – so lots of players coming back, which will only add to the team and give the manager a headache.
"We’re in a good place and we’ve got to continue now and get on a good run.”