Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is happy with their "solid start" to the season.
They have drawn all three of their league games so far as well as registering a victory in the Capital One Cup.
"It's a solid start," O'Neill told safc.com. "By the time we play our sixth game, at Manchester City, we will have played two at home and four away.
"We have had two tough away games so far as well as the home game with Liverpool.
"The team will get stronger and fitter and we will maybe have the addition of Adam Johnson coming back."