New Sunderland recruit George Dobson is not worried about the level of competition for places at the Stadium of Light, as he revealed in an interview with the Northern Echo.

The 21-year-old made his full debut for the Black Cats this weekend as they drew 1-1 with Oxford United. He played in the midfield alongside Dylan McGeouch as the pair got the nod over new club captain Grant Leadbitter.

Max Power is also still to return to the squad from injury, but that competition for places is something the former West Ham man relishes.

“Competition’s part and parcel of the game - of course that doesn’t faze me,’’ he claimed.

[ad_pod ]

“There are quality players here – you look at how good a career Grant (Leadbitter)’s had and you’ve got Dylan (McGeouch) and Max (Power), they’re very good football players. Playing with better players is only going to make me better so I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”

Dobson is now focused on making the very best he can of his time at Sunderland, driving them on to 'as many wins' as possible.

“I’m just going to try and take it day by day, game by game and try and make myself the best player possible to get as many minutes on the pitch as I can and help the club get as many wins.’’

The Black Cats face Ipswich this weekend at Portman Road, before a challenging tie with last season's arch-enemy Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.

The Verdict

This is a young man with a very bright future. He captained Walsall at the tender age of 21 and came through arguably one of the best academies in England for technical players; West Ham United.

His technique and ability are certainly not to be questioned, the real challenge is being effective under such pressure. Sunderland are not like other League One clubs; there is an expectation of success and players are quickly criticised if things go wrong.

However, if a player gives 100% and plays for the shirt he's usually taken to the fans' hearts. Look at Luke O'Nien for example; he came from nowhere last season and ended up a real darling of the supporters.

Dobson can achieve that too, if he lives up to his own words.