Brentford boss Dean Smith isn't too surprised with Sunderland's struggle to adapt to life in the Championship, writes Mark Ritson .

The Black Cats sit in the bottom three places after a poor start to the new campaign ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Bees.

Sunderland still have a number of names who were in the squad that were relegated in May, but they have yet to produce the goods so far.

However, Smith reckons it won't be long until Simon Grayson pulls them up the Championship table.

"You only have to see what happened to Aston Villa last season, they found it tougher than they expected to be," said the manager.

"It's a tough the league, the Championship. Around 75 per cent now have been in the Premier League, so it's big clubs in this league and nobody has the divine right.

Dean Smith CREDIT - LEWIS DARLING

"Simon knows that and he knows how to get the best of players, and he's proved that before.

"But I watched them against Preston the other week and they gave as good as they got.

"I don't think they'll be down there for much longer under Simon, to be honest.

"It is difficult when a team has been relegated and there are players there still who have suffered from that relegation.

"Maybe they still think about it, but it's a tough league and it's different to the Premier League.

"I think they do have the players who can turn it around, that's for sure."