Is Sunderland’s Wembley trip a bit of fun, or would silverware be symbolic of something bigger?

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Last week we asked our writers how much winning at Wembley means to them. Every contributor categorically stated that they felt this final was significant for the club in some way, shape, or form - but what do you think, and why?

Despite the fact that the EFL Trophy is a relatively lowly cup competition, and fans across the land have derided its existence, Sunderland fans are obviously excited about the chance to appear in a final at Wembley. And who can blame us?

The chance to have a boozy weekend in the nation’s capital is a mouth-watering occasion, and potentially watching your team bring home silverware certainly adds to the occasion.

But, does this final have a more symbolic meaning? Would success this weekend represent a change in Sunderland’s fortunes, or a shift in momentum after recent seasons?

Let us know your thoughts!

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

Who can forget our last foray to the capital for a cup final?

Simply put, our League Cup effort in 2014 was incredible.

Sold-out boozers, rammed streets, Mackem accents seemingly filling the London sky - 2014 was a properly fantastic affair. The final score was disappointing, but the weekend itself was the stuff dreams are made of.

So, is this weekend merely a rinse and repeat of 2014?

Of course, the EFL Trophy isn’t quite the League Cup, but that’s no reason for us not to cheer on our team, or celebrate a win if we are fortunate enough to emerge victorious. But is that all this weekend could be? A potential win in a minor cup competition, and the chance of a cracking weekend?

Or is there more than meets the eye here?

Could a potential win help signify a genuine shift in Sunderland’s fortunes? Of course, promotion and continued improvement is the overarching goal, but would a win at Wembley help to eliminate shadows from our horrific recent past?

Furthermore, the notion of this final acting as a cathartic moment is obviously dependent on a victory, but should George Honeyman and co. lift the trophy, how big an impact could that have on the club for the remainder of the season?

Gus Poyet’s men used the League Cup as a means to revitalize their league form, could Jack Ross’ men do the same thing if they win on Sunday?

There’s something to be said about this weekend potentially acting as a stepping-stone or cathartic moment, but what do you think? Let us know!

Comment below, on our social media posts, or send us a post/tweet and we’ll include your ideas and thoughts in a follow-up article.