HAVING not been around during last season’s unsuccessful battle to stay in the Premier League, Ty Browning has sensed the dressing room at Sunderland has already eradicated the negativity of relegation.

Simon Grayson has been a breath of fresh air since stepping into the hole vacated by David Moyes at the end of last season, even though a summer of uncertainty took time for him to be appointed.

When he eventually was he has had to oversee plenty of changes, with players leaving and signings made even though he has had very little financial muscle to significantly strengthen his squad.

Those changes will continue this month and the hope is that players who would still like to leave will do so, and that would enable Grayson to attract the right type of characters to help in his bid to revive the fortunes at the Stadium of Light.

Browning was one of Grayson’s first recruits, arriving on a season-long loan with Everton team-mate Brendan Galloway. And, despite problems like Darron Gibson’s outburst to fans when he questioned commitment of team-mates 11 days ago, the defender believes Grayson has made progress.

The 22-year-old said: “I think the manager's brought a lot of positivity into the changing room and that's what we needed, to be honest. There was a bit of chins on the chests when we arrived but that's out the window now and we can push on.

“There's a couple of us with Championship experience here – most of the new lads and the manager of course - but we'll help the team however we can. I'm sure they'll adapt quite well because the games come thick and fast. I'm just looking forward to it.”

Browning has started the first two games of the season, playing in his preferred centre-back role. He was effective at Bury on Thursday when Sunderland progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup.

He has tended to be used as a full-back during loan spells with Preston and Wigan, as well as during seven outings for Everton, but he is desperate to hold down his place in the middle this season.

Browning said: “Yeah definitely. I'm at that age now where I need to be playing week in, week out and it's nice to get the opportunity here. I'm enjoying it. I knew a couple of the lads so it was quite easy for me to be honest. I felt quite welcome here too.”

While Browning was keeping things tight at Gigg Lane on Thursday, George Honeyman was continuing his own rise by hitting the winner against the Shakers.

Honeyman has also started both matches under Grayson so far and will be expected to stay there when Sunderland travel to Norwich City tomorrow.

The 22-year-old, after scoring the first goal of his career, is keen to build on that now and prove why Grayson was right to put his faith in him.

Honeyman said: “It was pretty special to score right in front of the (away) fans. It was just pure joy. It’s something I’ve always thought about. It was just pure emotion. I’m so happy.

“When I found out I was in the team against Derby last Friday all I wanted to do was stay in the team.

“Every time I play I’m going to give it everything to make sure I’m in the team next week and take it one performance at a time. I’ve got to just keep producing and not thinking about what I’ve done.”

Sunderland have a hectic start to the campaign, and a tough one too. Having already faced Derby and collected a point, the desire now is to continue the positive vibes by frustrating another promotion contender tomorrow at Carrow Road.

Honeyman said: “The teams we’re playing at the minute are hopefully going to be our rivals at the end of the season so if we can get a few wins up on them now and get a bit of momentum it will hopefully stand us in good stead for the rest of the season.”