Resolute Black Cats look in it for long haul

Image caption, On-loan Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham has been a key player since arriving at Sunderland in AugustAnalysis - Adam Lanigan, BBC Sport England

So another game ticks by for Sunderland, and the Black Cats remain top of the Championship.

Given that they have been in that position since 1 October, are they starting to feel comfortable up there?

On the face of it, successive goalless draws at QPR and Preston North End feel disappointing, but that is a sign of how well they have done since Regis Le Bris arrived in the summer.

Last night, they certainly deserved no more than a draw at Deepdale and needed to show lots of defensive resolve, some good goalkeeping from stand-in Simon…