PRAISE FROM DUBLIN

Dion Dublin praised Sunderland's loyal support and the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light. He's even gone as far as saying we could win the Europa League! Dublin spoke to football betting site BetVictor.

WHY NOT?

"Can Sunderland win the Europa League? Why not? These competitions just throw up some ridiculous surprises. Honestly, they've just got to enjoy it. They've worked so hard and they were outstanding last season, outstanding."

XHAKA THE KEY

"Probably the best signing over the past couple of years is Granit Xhaka, just to go in and do what he's done with his experience of being at Arsenal and captain of his country. That was just genius. He went in, steadied the ship, set the standards, and they were brilliant."

FANS

"I think the fans deserve to be able to dream. Why not? And I'll tell you what, there'll be red and white everywhere they go. Their fans are absolute maniacs in a good way! If they win it, they’ll be in the Champions League, could you imagine that? Having played at that stadium in league games and at night, it's one noisy stadium. Nice, tight, really compact, always packed. It would be brilliant."