THE visit of Luton Town to the Stadium of Light this week reminds Luke O'Nien of a hugely pivotal moment in Sunderland's season.

For it was the first game against the Hatters, back in October at Kenilworth Road, that O'Nien truly realised how much the Black Cats had "evolved" and gave the defender real belief that Regis Le Bris' side had what it takes to last the pace at the top of the Championship.

Twelve months ago, Sunderland were just about to embark on a shocking run of six straight defeats that would see off Michael Beale as manager and start the slide to the 16th placed finish.

Now, the Black Cats are unbeaten in seven, just five points off the automatic promotion places and look nailed on for, at the very least, a place in the play-offs. But it's the top two, not the top six, which is the aim.

That would have been an outlandish target at the start of the season but Sunderland have maintained their form throughout. And the 2-1 win at Luton was crucial.

Yes, the Hatters are struggling this season after their relegation from the Premier League last term, but Kenilworth Road can still be a brutal test and it was a bruising night for the Black Cats back in October.

But second half goals from Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle secured a victory that had a major impact in the dressing room.

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"That's when I knew this team had really evolved," admitted O'Nien ahead of Wednesday's re-run.

"Even if you look at the history of playing Luton. When we played them in the play-offs they had about 15 corners in 20 seconds. The lads put their head on the line, there was real togetherness and bite to the group.

"That win this season is probably when I was most proud of the group. It's not just points you pick you, you get a feeling and build momentum and relationships in a win like that because they're the ones you really need to grind out.

"That's the most proud I've been but that's in the past. We have to keep building and go again."

Sunderland could really do with a win on Wednesday night after the frustration of dropping points in their last two home games, but they have at least been boosted by late goals against Middlesbrough and again against Watford on Saturday.

O'Nien said: "We're all human beings and we all feel the same as you do about last minute goals and big wins. I live in the area, I go for beach walks on my day off and people tell me about how much of an impact it has on their weekend.

"We will enjoy the highs and feel the lows just as much as you guys and the fans. We try to steady it a bit more, we need to stay consistent."

Consistent is an apt description of boss Le Bris and his messaging to his players.

"He's always pretty calm and calculated," says O'Nien.

"He lets us lead the conversation and see what we think of the game. The gaffer is very consistent in his demeanour. He's calm, a bit like a professor, brings us in and sees what we think and then we reflect on the game like we always do."