Keane could hardly have wished for a better start to life in the top-flight after following Sunderland's opening day win over Tottenham with a dramatic midweek draw at Birmingham.

But he takes his side to Wigan conscious that the true test of his capabilities in the dugout will come when things are not going quite so well.

Keane said: "It's easy when you're winning because everybody wants to be your friend and pat you on your back. It's when you've lost two games that you're judged.

"That's when you need to be strong and that's what the top managers are. They keep their head and don't get bogged down by outside issues.

"All the top managers in England have had spells when things haven't gone so well but they've had the character and belief to come good.

"That is when they prove that they are the very best managers. And they are the people you have got to look up to and respect."

Certainly Keane has respect for the Latics and the way they refused to set their sights on mere survival when they arrived in the Premier League as huge underdogs two seasons ago.

"If you have a positive attitude you have great chance of achieving anything," Keane added. "Clubs you do not think are the biggest clubs in the world are in the Premier League and maintaining it.

"You have to be positive and not come up with the attitude that if you survive it's a good season. You've got to try to do as well as you can and that's where the mental side comes in."

Keane believes that sort of attitude has been exemplified by his players this season, in particular those who did not have any previous Premier League experience.

Solid Championship performers like Dickson Etuhu and Paul McShane have starred in the Black Cats' fine start and Keane believes they made the most of the advantage they had over more established players.

Keane added: "For some players it is a plus that they are going into the unknown. They are not afraid to try things whereas some players who have played a lot in the Premier League are too familiar with it.

"They haven't got that edge and that little bit of bite and that hunger in their eyes, whereas we've bought one of two lads from Championship teams who have the hunger and desire to do well."

Keane did suffer his first blow of the season this week with the news that influential wide man Carlos Edwards will be out for a month with a hamstring injury he sustained at St Andrew's.

Keane expects to make more changes to his side with Stern John pushing for a start after grabbing the late equaliser, and Kieron Richardson and Dwight Yorke also likely to return.

Keane added: "I was disappointed with the performance at Birmingham but relatively pleased that we got a point. If I'm disappointed with that then maybe we're heading in the right direction."