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Although it's very much a done thing, Sunderland fans have sold every single ticket for the trip to the south coast next weekend, when Gus Poyet's men take on a Southampton side that have started the season brilliantly, exceeding the expectations of many who assumed they would struggle after losing many of their best players - and a manager - in the summer.
Whilst it's expected to be a difficult game, right back Billy Jones - currently on a run of good form himself having found his way into the team after picking up an injury in pre-season - is hoping that he can send the thousands of travelling Sunderland supporters home with three points in the bag.
He told SAFC.com:
"On the back of the form we have shown we can head into the game with a lot of confidence. We know exactly what to expect and although they have made a lot of new signings under a new manager they seem to have gelled really well. I haven’t seen too many of their games live, but they seem like they have goals in the team and I know from Southampton teams I have played in the past that they will be full of energy.I’m sure it will be a really tough game but as I said we have a lot of confidence and hopefully we can get the three points. And the defender also warned against underestimating the club’s five top-flight draws. We have played some big teams already and put in some good performances to earn those draws.
People had spoke about that we had not won yet in the league but we were picking up points along the way, and getting that win before the international break has made those draws look a whole lot better."
Jones is correct - our form, although mainly made up of draws - is good, having only lost one game in the opening seven games. Against Stoke our forwards rediscovered their ability to put the ball in the back of the net and our defenders are in superb form.
The key battle, however, may well be in the middle of the park - Lee Cattermole's role at the hub of the Sunderland midfield this season has been vital in ensuring we aren't conceding many goals, whilst the trio of Steven Davis, Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin are the base for which their attacking players are allowed to flourish.
Defeating the Saints is not going to be a simple task - after all, they are currently sat third in the table. They also have the best defensive record in the league, conceding just five goals in their opening seven games. It should be an interesting encounter and a test of just how far both sides have truly come in such a short space of time.
Make sure you keep checking back at RokerReport.com throughout this week for all of the build up to Saturday's game.
