Mignolet Waiting For The 'Kop Experience'!

Last updated : 08 July 2013 By Tott Dixon - Seaham

fThe Belgium international joined from Sunderland last month and has no fears of pitting himself against Jones and Reina in the battle for the number one jersey.

Simon Mignolet: "That's always what has happened when there's competition.

"I've had competition in Sunderland and in Belgium with the national team.

"It's not only Pepe - there's a lot of good goalies at Liverpool, like Brad Jones for example - and it's not only the position of the goalie where there is competition. It's every single position on the field.

"There are only 11 players who can play and it is something that is normal with being a football player.

"You have to deal with that. Competition can only make you as an individual better and let you perform better. It can only be a positive thing.

"From the talks I had with the manager and the goalkeeping coach I felt they were very ambitious and the club wants to get forward.

"The signings they'd already done before July showed they really wanted to get going.

"They want to push on again in the Premier League. It was obvious that they are an ambitious club and a big club.

"I know how big a club this is but I think I'm only going to feel it once the games get going.

"The first few training sessions went okay. I'm very happy to be here and train."

SUNDERLAND FIXTURES:

fSaturday August 17
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Fulham
Saturday August 24
15:00Premier League Southampton v Sunderland
Saturday August 31
15:00Premier League Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Saturday September 14
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Arsenal
Saturday September 21
15:00Premier League West Brom v Sunderland
Saturday September 28
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Liverpool
Saturday October 5
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Man Utd
Saturday October 19
15:00Premier League Swansea City v Sunderland
Saturday October 26
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Newcastle United