Seeing Danny and Neill Collins line up - and greatly impress - in Sunderland's win at Derby might have been a surprise for some, but not for the latter.

The pair were asked to fill the boots of Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell, at the heart of Sunderland's defence, and found they fitted perfectly. They forged an impressive understanding and provided the foundation for the 2-0 victory.

It was the first time boss Mick McCarthy had thrown the pair together as centre backs in a Championship fixture, although Collins revealed they had played there before.

"It was my first game with Danny in the first team, but we've played a lot together in the reserves and done well," admitted the former Dumbarton stopper.

"He's a left sided defender and I'm mainly right, so it is a great balance.

"We get on well together off the park, which also helps. I thought it went really well and I'm sure the manager will be delighted.

"It just shows that in the back four alone there is so many partnerships that have worked and that is a good sign.

"But it is also a testament to the manager for bringing in players that are capable of doing a job. Danny has come in and settled but you have to have belief in your own ability at the same time."

Sunderland had an indifferent festive period winning only one, drawing one and losing two, before getting back on track in the FA Cup against Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old believes the Cup win, coupled with Sunday's victory - their eighth on the road this season - has finally laid to rest the ghost of Christmas 2004.

He said: "I'm delighted with the way things went against Derby. I thought we kind of got back on track last week, but the FA Cup can be like that.

"I think the real test is the league and it was a great result.

"It was important to come out of the blip we were going through. It also meant we kept in touch with the top two as well."

First choice pairing Breen and Caldwell could be back in action for the weekend's Championship clash against Sheffield United, but Collins hopes that he, and his new defensive partner, have done enough to give the manager a selection headache.

"It was very encouraging for the manager and bodes well for the rest of the season if you can keep everyone fit," he admitted.

"It is probably going to be a great decision for the manager, and probably one he likes. Who is he going to leave out?

"Even on Sunday, Sean Thornton and Andy Welsh were magnificent last week, but found themselves out of the team. But we go and win and that just shows how important it is to have a good squad."

Former Sunderland striker Tommy Smith has tipped his old side to clinch promotion.

Smith, part of the Black Cats' squad that crashed out in the play-off semi final last year believes his old side is better equipped to go on better.

"Sunderland are in a great position to go up," he said. "The Championship hasn't changed too much from last season. This time last year any side was capable of beating any other and it's the same again.

"The big difference - and this where Sunderland are in a stronger position - is that no team is clear at the top. Last year Norwich always looked like they were going to win the title and for Sunderland it quickly became a race for the play-offs.

"This season Mick and the boys are nicely poised and they're looking like they can take the bull by the horns.''

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