Titus Bramble has thanked Sunderland fans for their support since his return to the Northeast.
The former Newcastle United defender was often barracked by his own Toon fans when on Tyneside.
"The fans have been different class to be fair," Bramble told safc.com. "They have really helped me. It's been a lot easier to settle in knowing the supporters have got my back.
"It was a good performance, especially considering we played for a long time with ten men.
"I think if you would have asked us at the time if we'd have taken a point the answer would have been yes. Wigan isn't an easy place to go, especially with ten men."
Bramble, who has established himself as a regular at centre half, added: "Defensively the whole team was brilliant. We were solid and hard to break down.
"Once we got the goal I thought we'd get the three points but unfortunately that wasn't the case. They got a lucky goal, but that's football."
