Sunderland defender Nedum Onuoha has thanked team-mate John Mensah for getting him through last week’s goalless draw at Fulham.
The 24-year-old, who joined the club on a year’s loan from Manchester City, had started the match at Craven Cottage at right-back only to play most of it at centre-half.
That was down to Mensah’s defensive partner Anton Ferdinand having to go off after 10 minutes with a hamstring problem which looks set to keep him out for a month.
Onuoha was shuffled into the centre and put in a superb shift – particularly in the second half – which was probably in part due to the confidence generated in him by Mensah’s own man-of-the-match display.
Mensah, the Ghana captain, is known as a huge motivator for all his team-mates in his club as well as the national team.
With Mensah's guidance and advice, Onuoha put in a masterful display and the Nigeria-born star is grateful to the Ghanaian for helping him through.
“John helped me a lot,†said Onuoha.
“When you get the chance to play alongside people like him, you want to make the most of it and I think I did that.
“I wasn’t really expecting to go in at centre-half but thankfully I adapted, and playing alongside the likes of John helped me a lot.
“We went to Fulham aiming to win the game, but I suppose a point away in this league is not a bad result.
“Fulham were desperate for a win – but then again, as is everyone in the Premier League – and that was shown last weekend.â€
Sunderland have a busy programme over the festive period where they take on a four-course Lancashire hot-pot, with Bolton first up at the Stadium of Light on Saturday followed by clashes with Manchester United, Blackpool and Blackburn.
Mensah has been hailed by most of his Sunderland team-mates for his displays so far this season and has been helping the team out despite carrying a shoulder injury.