WES Brown is looking forward to a "fresh start" following Martin O'Neill's appointment as Sunderland manager.

O'Neill will host an introductory press conference at the Stadium of Light this afternoon, having agreed to become Steve Bruce's successor over the weekend.

The Northern Irishman, who watched Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Wolves from the directors' box at Molineux, was at the Academy of Light yesterday as he began his tenure in charge of the club he supported as a boy.

He inherits a side that are just one point above the relegation places following a wretched start to the campaign, but Brown is hoping his arrival draws a line under the difficulties that accompanied the dying days of Bruce's spell in charge.

"This is a new start and we'll see what happens," said the centre-half, who left Manchester United to move to Wearside in the summer. "The new manager will definitely bring a feel-good factor.

"We know the qualities he's got and he's going to put all his experience into the team. We're looking forward to it.

"It will be nice to put the Wolves game to bed and have a fresh start. For 60 minutes we were playing well and it was disappointing to lose, but we've got a new manager now and hopefully we can start going from there."

O'Neill will confirm the exact make-up of his backroom staff later today, but his long-term associate, Steve Walford, is expected to be alongside him as he takes charge of his first training session as manager this morning.

His immediate priority will be to lift the confidence of a group of players who have now lost their last two matches despite leading in both games.

Sunderland's fragility was emphasised by the concession of two goals in ten minutes at the weekend, and while Sunday's game pits them against a Blackburn side one place below them in the table, O'Neill will have noted that Steve Kean's men have scored eight goals in their last three league outings.

Nevertheless, the Black Cats' squad share their new manager's confidence that things can be turned around.

"It's been a bit emotional this week because, when a new manager comes in, after the old one is sacked, it means the team is not doing well," said Kieran Richardson, the scorer of Sunderland's goal at the weekend.

"It's been upsetting from that point of view, but the new manager gives you a lift and hopefully it will get the players back to winning ways. We believe we can do that, we've got the players and I'm sure the fans know that as well.

"This week, we've got to crack on with a new manager coming in, with new tactics, new everything. From now on, it starts afresh and we'll see what happens."

The desire to look to the future is inevitable, but discussions will no doubt turn to the past when O'Neill outlines his pride at taking over at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

The 59-year-old became a boyhood Sunderland supporter thanks to his affection for Charlie Hurley, and the legendary centre-half, who now lives back in his native Ireland, is delighted with recent events.

"Moving to the North-East was the best thing I ever did and I would recommend it to anyone," said Hurley, now 75. "It is an ideal place to go.

"Martin is a genuine person and it was an honour to read about him describing me as his idol. I still keep a very close eye on Sunderland and I wish Martin all the best.

"Sunderland fans love their football club and Sunderland fans deserve to have Martin in charge. Martin is obviously delighted to have made the move and he will find out within a short period of time that these fans are loyal."