BLOW THE ROOF OFF

“They’re gonna, they’re gonna… they’re gonna BLOW THE ROOF OFF, MAN”. Those were the exact words of one Sunderland fan on BBC Radio Newcastle on Monday evening, previewing the monumental fixture that we have on Sunday, and is exactly what every single one of us needs to do upon entering that Stadium.

The lady in question was calling back to our historic victory over Sunday’s opponents in May 2016, and one of the best atmospheres the Stadium of Light has ever seen, as we came from behind twice to beat Chelsea, taking us out of the relegation zone and one win from safety, which we picked up days later at home to Everton. She reminded everyone listening of just what the atmosphere in the SoL did that day, and set a clear example expectation for how we need to better that this Sunday.

Imagine if someone had told you that in the exact same month, a decade later, we’d been down to League One, spent four years there, came back to the Premier League after an eight year absence, and had Everton and Chelsea to play as our final two games, needing six points. We aren’t playing for survival though, we’ve got Europe in our sights now.

That comparison, I believe, is the best way possible to put into perspective just how far we’ve came. We seem to have been a club that has forever been chasing safety, or a return to somewhere we should have never left, but now we have the opportunity to surprise everyone, and prove them wrong one last time this season, with a possible monumental achievement.

As we’ve seen countless times recently, but especially over the last twelve months, we can absolutely be the twelfth man, and we have to be on Sunday to allow our team the opportunity to achieve what they deserve for a season of consistently silencing their doubters, and what we deserve for sticking with the team through the dark, dark days we’ve endured.

We’d never been more ready, as a fan base, for a game of football than when we opened the campaign by welcoming West Ham to the SoL in August. Chant after chant rang through the stadium, no less so than when just about the entire stadium was on their feet, bellowing out their love for Eliezer Mayenda, and his particular distaste for a musician from North Shields. We absolutely battered The Hammers, who appeared astounded at both the intensity of Le Bris’ side, as well as the hostility created in that stadium that day.

October saw the visit of Arsenal, a side who had won their last ten consecutive games, and hadn’t conceded in eight. The SoL erupted as Ballard smashed the ball into the roof of the net, and the noise from The Roker End practically dragged the ball over the line as Brobbey’s acrobatics brought an end to the Gunners' winning run, and kept our own unbeaten record at home intact.

I’d be here all day if I referenced every time our home atmosphere had been the difference maker in a monumental fixture this season, but perhaps we should look back at that specific day, when two goals in three minutes from Borini and Defoe got us over the line in a game nobody expected us to win. Why did that happen exactly? Because every single person believed in that team, and they paid us back with one of the best memories we’ve ever had following the lads.

Yes, we are relying on either United or Liverpool (or hopefully both) to do us a favour and take points off Brentford or Brighton for a win to be worthwhile, but Sunderland have achieved miracles before, and we will achieve miracles again.

'Til the end is our new way of life, so show that in the stands and stick with the lads til the final whistle and beyond. Arrive early, wear your colours and make some noise. Blow that roof off.