Steve Agnew is convinced Middlesbrough will be better prepared for life back in the Championship than local rivals Sunderland.
The Teessiders joined the Black Cats in slipping out of the top flight on Monday evening when a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea finally ended their faint survival hopes.
Manager David Moyes claimed on Thursday that Sunderland would be the 'biggest club in the Championship' next season, but Agnew believes the knowledge and experience Boro gained from their successful promotion campaign last season will stand them in better stead.
He said: 'Yes, I think it does because if you look at the accumulation of games played in the Championship for a number of players, then it has to be a head-start on players who haven't.