The Dutch World Cup finalist was one of only four City players to start this week’s back-to-back home wins over Liverpool and Timisoara.
And now he is hoping to make it a hat-trick of victories at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
He is confident but warns that the 3-0 demolition of Liverpool will make City even more of prized scalp.
“Sunderland will need our 100% focus because after beating Liverpool everyone will be dying to beat us,” he reckoned.
“We are playing well and have the winning habit so things can be said to be gelling well. We have a lot of winners in the side and everyone is busting to do well; you can see that in the training sessions and the games.
We have yet to concede a goal in four games and that is due to defending as a team fighting for each other but I think we can also improve a lot in the coming weeks
...Nigel de Jong
“Liverpool was the first time we played with James Milner in the side and he showed he has settled very quickly. He will be important for us during this season.
“I was glad I played on Thursday because I hate missing games though I understand well the need for rest and rotation. After every win you have to go to the next game and back it up; that is what champion teams do no matter what the competition.
“We know Sunderland will make it hard for us, we found that out twice last season in close games but we have an improving mentality I think. A win on Sunday will mean we have had a good start to the season and that we will resume after the international break with real momentum. That is important.”
