Luke O'Nien says the pain of Sunderland's play-off defeat is still there - but it will only provide 'fuel' for the coming season. The Black Cats enjoyed a fine return to the Championship last term, finishing sixth in the table to give themselves a chance of earning promotion via the play-offs.
However, after winning the home leg of their semi-final against Luton Town, they lost the return game - and the tie on aggregate - with the Hatters going on to book a place in the Wembley final and, ultimately, earning promotion to the Premier League. O'Nien says that semi-final defeat is not yet out of Sunderland's system, but it will act as a motivating factor as the Black Cats look to improve on last season's achievements.
"The Luton game does feel like a long time ago," said O'Nien. "It [the pain] is still there, and I think that kind of defeat really fuels you for the season.
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"It feels like a long time ago and there's still a little bit of pain, but that will drive us this season. With the season getting so close now, you get that feeling of 'we're not far off'.
"I think that can only serve you going into the season."
Sunderland reported back to the Academy of Light a fortnight ago for pre-season training and on Saturday they played their first friendlies of the summer, winning 4-3 at South Shields and then 3-2 at Gateshead. They jet off on Wednesday for a ten-day trip to the USA, during which they will play games in Texas, New Mexico, and North Carolina, before returning to the UK for a home friendly against Spanish side RCD Mallorca at the end of the month, and then travel to Hartlepool United at the beginning of August for their final pre-season outing before their Championship campaign begins against Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light.
O'Nien said: "I really enjoyed my family time over the summer visiting what seemed like every kids' park in the UK, and it was nice to switch off, but now you want to switch back on as quickly as you can. I've spoken to a lot of people now we're back together, and I think they've all missed it.
"Now it's about getting ready and we're another step closer to that first game of the season."
