Do the players have the mental strength to deliver?

Back-to-back games at the Stadium of Light give Sunderland another huge opportunity to end the winless home run.

So the question is, do the players have the mental strength and resilience to deliver under the increasing pressure that a home drought – like Sunderland are on – brings?

Before the last home game against QPR I was convinced we would get that long awaited home win, as I thought things were getting better and key players were back from injury but it didn’t happen so I am taking nothing for granted this time as it usually only ends in disappointment.

Maybe being pessimistic is the way to go now as at least you can’t be let down but it comes to something when many fans are going to home games lacking optimism and expecting the worst.

I know I am not the only one feeling that way at the moment and it is more than possible even the players are fearing the worst but only they have the power to change things around by finally playing up to their potential out on the pitch.

Despite everything we have seen this season, I still think this squad is far better than the results they have been getting.

But there is a fair chunk of the season gone now and second bottom is depressingly where Sunderland deserve to be because the players have underachieved and under performed to the levels I think they are capable of.

These two home games coming up against Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers are going to have huge consequences, as if Sunderland can’t produce at least one win then the confidence and belief of the players will just go through the floor, while the anger and the frustration of the fans will reach breaking point – if it hasn’t already.

On the other hand, a win and a draw, or even better two wins, and everything changes.

The players’ confidence soars, the fans go home happy for a change after a game and Sunderland can finally climb the table and get this disappointing season underway.