One Sunderland star has been singled out and praised by former Black Cats man Martin Smith.
Sunderland beat Sheffield Wednesday on Friday evening, as Eliezer Mayenda’s brace helped edge out the Owls in a 2-1 win.
The Black Cats’ first goal through Mayenda proved controversial, after the ball struck the Spaniard’s hand in the build-up, but there were no complaints for the second, as a fabulous lofted ball from Trai Hume found the 19-year-old, who placed a header past the clutches of James Beadle.
As well as the top result, Hillsborough Stadium was the setting for Luke O’Nien’s 300th game for the Black Cats. O’Nien has had many memorable moments for Sunderland, and there is no doubting how much he has offered to the club during his tenure, ever since his 2018 arrival.
Following his monumentous achievement, the Sunderland man has been praised by former player Martin Smith.
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Former Sunderland man Martin Smith hails ‘reliable’ Luke O’Nien after achievement
Sunderland’ O’Nien has now achieved 300 appearances donning the famous red & white stripes, a feat that has only been replicated on four occasions before the Englishman.
Having continued to play a crucial role in Regis Le Bris’ side so far this season, being a crucial reason as to why the Black Cats are currently high-flying in 4th position in the Championship, he has been heaped with praise by former Sunderland man Martin Smith.
Per BBC Radio Newcastle, Smith hailed O’Nien’s ‘massive achievement’, as he said: “He [O’Nien] came in as a centre midfielder and he’s played nearly everywhere else. I think just playing that amount of games shows that you’re fit, you’re reliable – and he’s never let anybody down.
“It’s a massive achievement. I think especially in this day and age, players tend to move on quite regularly, so to still be there and probably [be there] for another couple of years, you would think, it’s a great achievement.”
“It’s no disrespect, but I think he’s got the most out of everything he’s got. He’s left nothing behind, and he looks into his game and every fine detail – you can see that in him.”
Could Luke O’Nien become the leading Black Cats appearance holder
Looking at the current list of Sunderland appearance holders, O’Nien finds himself with the fifth most for the club, with Len Shackleton leading the way with 323 games for the Black Cats.
Considering how crucial O’Nien has proved to be under Le Bris, and in recent years, there is no sign of the Black Cats club captain’s game time drying up.
Promotion to the Premier League could potentially hinder O’Nien’s involvement, and he may not start week-in, week-out, but he will still certainly be around the squad.
At the age-of-30, O’Nien still has plenty of years left in the tank playing at this top level, and with just 23 games separating him from the top of the list, there seems to be very little in the way of the former Wycombe Wanderers man reaching that feat, one that will reflect the true dedication he has had for the club throughout his career.