Sunderland starting to shed their 'naivety' - Neil

Dan Neil has played 92 Championship games for Sunderland

Sunderland's improvement in game management is one of the reasons why the club have started the season so strongly, according to captain Dan Neil.

The Black Cats are top of the Championship with four wins out of four, the only 100% record in the EFL.

While Regis le Bris' team have only conceded one goal in those four victories.

"It's the third year in the Championship for a lot of this team and that naivety is leaving the team a little bit," Neil, 22, said.

"We're starting to understand the game management, and that's a massive part of the reason why we've started the season so well defensively."

Sunderland's next match in the Championship is away to struggling Plymouth Argyle on 14 September.

Sunderland have scored 10 goals and conceded once in their four league wins

Black Cats more 'structured'

After reaching the play-offs in their first year back from League One with Tony Mowbray at the helm, Sunderland slipped to 16th last season, six points above the relegation zone.

Mowbray left the club in December, his replacement Michael Beale only lasted until February and it was left to Michael Dodds to hold the fort on an interim basis until the end of the season.

After a long search, Frenchman Le Bris was appointed in late June - his first job in English football.

But despite his late arrival and his unknown nature, Neil said his new head coach has been making an excellent impression.

The Black Cats still possess a largely youthful squad, but the midfielder believes that a new identity is being forged under Le Bris.

"He has definitely brought new ideas, new ways of playing, especially in possession," the midfielder told 72+: The EFL Podcast.

"He is big on triangles and things like that. It's all new to us. A lot of what we did in previous years was try to get the ball to our best attacking players as fast as we possibly can and hopefully they can do damage at the top end of the pitch.

"I feel like the way we are playing now is a lot more structured. Everybody knows their roles in and out of possession."

Neil added: "When he first came in, he was quite quiet, gauging what squad he had.

"As the season is going on, he is definitely coming out of his shell, taking charge of more sessions.

"All the boys are enjoying it so far. He's been really good."