http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/sunderlandafc/news/tm_headline=we-can-cope-in-the-top-flight---nosworthy&method=full&objectid=18939009&siteid=50081-name_page.htmlApr 21 2007
Nyron Nosworthy cannot deny Sunderland's players are already thinking about life in the Premiership but the revitalised defender is confident the club will flourish rather than freeze in the top flight.
The Black Cats head to Colchester today knowing that a win would inch them nearer to an automatic promotion place and a return to the top flight just 12 months after they crashed out with the lowest number of points on record.
Nosworthy is one of the few survivors of that dismal campaign, but a player who has been re-invented as a dominant centre-half by Roy Keane believes Sunderland are perfectly equipped to make the leap up in class as a result of the changes brought about by Keane and chairman Niall Quinn.
But, while some might expect the Wearsiders to be feeling the pressure ahead of this afternoon's potentially pivotal clash against a Colchester side with one of the best home records in the Championship, Nosworthy insists they are relaxed and focused.
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"We are talking about promotion in a positive way in the fact that we want to go up automatically and win the league," said Nosworthy, who was convinced by Keane that he could shift from right-back to centre-back.
"There is no real pressure on us. It is very relaxed around the training ground and changing room. There is a good morale between the lads and everyone is relaxed building up to games.
"We're not changing anything and we're continuing to play our football and win games. We are determined not to let it slip away, its the carrot we were looking for.
"We need to just keep winning the games. There is no added pressure on us and there is nothing to worry about apart from our own individual performances.
"We'll be disappointed if we don't go up as champions. Mentally we're strong, you can feel it in the changing room among the boys."
While Keane has helped rid the dressing room of its losing culture, there are still plenty of scars from last season's disastrous Premiership campaign. Nosworthy, though, is convinced the memories will help him as he argued the club has been transformed since relegation.
Of Keane's squad, only Nosworthy, Grant Leadbitter, Danny Collins, Stephen Elliott, Tommy Miller and Dean Whitehead remain from the side which struggled so badly among the elite of English football and the former Gillingham defender, a free transfer signing by former manager Mick McCarthy, believes the squad is far better than the one which went up last time.
He said: "I think we'll be able to handle life a lot better than the last time. We're not boasting, but the gaffer seems to have a very good structure in the way he does things.
"I know he'll probably bring other players in to strengthen the squad, but as a team we seem to be much better organised.
"Last season we made a lot of silly mistakes and we were punished for them and that happens in the Premier League.
"We can compete at that level now. In training, you can see that quality.
"You want to prove that you're good enough to play in the Premiership. We're going to get that chance."
Nevertheless, while Sunderland may already be planning for a Premiership return, nobody is expecting an easy game at Layer Road this afternoon.
Nosworthy added: "I've played there for Gillingham and it is a very small, compact ground and they do get in your face.
"It is built perfectly for them but we've come against many difficult tasks before this season from teams who have asked a lot of questions and we have answered them."
Meanwhile, Carlos Edwards has been named in the Trinidad and Tobago Gold Cup squad. The tournament begins on June 6 in Boston, where he will face El Salvador, USA and Guartamela in the Group Stage.
