HIS career has had its fair share of ups and downs, but in-form Sunderland centrehalf Titus Bramble feels he is currently playing the best football of his life.

Bramble, who has proved to be one of the bargains of the summer following a cut-price £1m move from Wigan Athletic, was in imperious form on Monday as the Black Cats secured a goalless draw at Blackburn.

Prior to the international break, he produced an equally eye-catching display as Sunderland recorded another clean sheet against Manchester United.

The mistakes that peppered the early years of his career have disappeared, replaced by a calm assurance that has quickly spread to the rest of the Black Cats’ back four.

And while he freely admits he was never particularly comfortable during his fiveyear spell at Newcastle United, he is quick to claim his improved form on Wearside is the result of a new-found sense of contentment.

“I think I’m playing as well as I ever have done,” said Bramble, who has been an ever-present for Sunderland in the league this season. “I’m enjoying my football now and that hasn’t always been the case in my career.

“It certainly wasn’t always the case at Newcastle. I enjoyed my time there, but things weren’t always as good on the pitch. But I’m here now, playing week in, week out for a fantastic club. I’m really enjoying it and I think that’s showing out on the pitch.”

Perhaps the most notable aspect of Bramble’s improvement is his willingness to assume a leadership role at the heart of the back four.

At Newcastle, it was hard to avoid the feeling that he needed an experienced centre-half alongside him, cajoling and leading the way, and it was surely no coincidence that many of his best displays on Tyneside came in partnership with Jonathan Woodgate.

At Sunderland, Bramble is the uncontested leader of Sunderland’s defensive unit, and with increased responsibility has come a greater degree of concentration and a much more focused attitude.

“In my early years, it wasn’t always the case that I felt so comfortable trying to organise the rest of the back four,” admitted the 29-yearold.

“But defenders don’t really come into their peak until they’re 27, 28 or 29 so it’s only natural that you develop and improve as a player.

“I think I’ve done that. I think I’m at the peak of my game now, and that’s just down to experience really.”

Bramble’s performances have helped Sunderland embark on a five-game unbeaten run that has incorporated matches against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Most clubs would gladly accept such a sequence, but the Black Cats’ enthusiasm has been tempered by an inability to win any of the drawn games.

Statistically, two wins and three defeats would have been better than five draws, but as a defender employed to keep clean sheets, Bramble has been satisfied with the sequence, particularly the last two shut-outs against United and Rovers.

“You can look at it two ways,” he said. “We’re either five games without a win or we’re five games undefeated.

As a defender, I think you take that because you’re unbeaten.

We’re not conceding a lot of goals and that’s a platform to build from.”

The challenge now is to claim only a second victory of the season when Aston Villa visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Despite the availability of John Mensah, Paulo Da Silva and Anton Ferdinand, Steve Bruce is expected to name the same back four for the fourth game in succession.

Such stability clearly helps, although Bramble feels the quality of Sunderland’s work on the training ground negates the risk of uncertainty when changes occur.

“It definitely helps to have a settled back four,” he said.

“But we work so hard in training with different partners that I think any of the defenders at the club could come in and do a good job.

“Whoever steps into the team is comfortable playing there. Obviously the games are different to training, but we’re all comfortable and that’s a good situation to be in.”