Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was pleased with his debutants in their 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.
Bruce gave full debuts to four players in goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, defenders Nedum Onuoha and Titus Bramble and midfielder Ahmed El Mohamady, while Cristian Riveros and Danny Welbeck came off the bench in the second half.
The Sunderland boss was particularly pleased with his defensive new boys, who also included John Mensah, back at the Stadium of Light for a second season on loan from Lyon.
Bruce said: "I thought Onuoha was terrific. I thought big Titus was terrific and he can only improve because he's done well to play. He had a stress fracture so he's only trained really for the best part of two or three weeks after being out for 12.
"The Egyptian boy (El Mohamady) did very well. I was very, very pleased and if it was 11 versus 11 I think we would have comfortably got the win."
