Our great club is giving so much back to the fans

Is this the run to the Championship and Wembley? Sunderland won their third game in a row on Saturday after a good, and at times brilliant, display against Plymouth Argyle at the Stadium of Light.

A second clean sheet in a row is perhaps just as important at showing Sunderland’s growing sense of resilience and momentum as we go into the final run-in of the season.

It is, however, as you were at the top of League One after the top four all won but I think there is something solid building within the Sunderland team right now.

The first half display was arguably the best display at the Stadium of Light this season, high press pressure was very evident and width and guile from the wings was a delight to watch.

With a bit of luck, the team could have gone into the break two or three up.

The second half saw Plymouth play their part in an enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment but a professional performance from Sunderland in the second half and a second goal from captain George Honeyman finished the job.

The top two in the division know we are breathing down their necks. We have a game in hand, that means it is in our hands, and I think this is us on a run now.

The result on paper and even the stats don’t tell the full story though.

There was a real sense of togetherness both on and off the pitch. Perhaps it’s little things falling into place and of course performances like what we saw help, but dare I say it, the club and fans are connecting.

The appreciation of players like Luke O’Nien, a solid return to his boyhood club from Grant Leadbitter and of course the recognised respect and adoration for Lee Cattermole which saw #LeeCattermole Testimonial trending on social media on Saturday night.

The incredibly emotive applause for Connor Brown on 18 minutes; an idea which came from the terraces and was sensitively supported by the club.

The half-time entertainment saw a Sunderland supporter take out a Plymouth fan on the way to victory, and once again put the club at the centre of a viral social media storm, and led to Soccer AM naming Sunderland as having the best halftime entertainment in the country.

Or maybe it was George Honeyman, our captain, sealing our victory in the 87th minute?

A win against Bristol Rovers tomorrow evening would see Sunderland into the final of the Checkatrade Trophy and a trip to Wembley, five years on from our last visit.

It’s fair to say that five years ago, if you told me we would be in our position today, I would have laughed in your face - but maybe it has taken this total reset for the community to feel like they are again living at a time where their football club gives them something back; good times, reflective moments, goals to be remembered, new songs.

It’s a club to be proud of once again - one rising from the ashes.

The Wise Men Say podcast is available from every Monday, with SAFC debate from a variety of guests and postmatch reaction from Jack Ross.