The release of the fixtures for the 2024/25 Championship campaign marks the beginning of a new era at the Stadium of Light.
It's fair to say the mood on Wearside has changed considerably in a fortnight. A managerial search that had rumbled on for too long, has since subsided and there's a quiet optimism on the banks of the River Wear.
It would be remiss to throw the entire fanbase into that category, with the jury still out on the appointment of Regis Le Bris, who, like those who have come before him, will be judged on results.
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As obvious as it may seem, it's imperative the Black Cats get off to a good start under the 48-year-old. The disappointment of last season - finishing 16th in the Championship last season, just five points above the relegation zone - won't be forgotten quickly.
After all, Sunderland have won just five games since the beginning of 2024, and issues off the field remain fresh in the minds of red and white supporters.
It would be both naive and stupid to cast any judgements on the new head coach having not yet arrived on Wearside, but the aforementioned issues leave Le Bris under some pressure from the get go.
The Sunderland players will return for pre-season in the coming days and at the time of writing, the Championship curtain raiser is just 45 days away. Just over a month for Le Bris to get his ideas across to his new group of players and lift the morale of a young squad.
If we take a closer look at Sunderland's opening six games, the Frenchman has a decent opportunity to lay down an early marker.
The trip to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first competitive game of the season a decent enough starting point. After all, it's the arena where Sunderland picked up one of their five wins in 2024 - a 2-0 win over the Bluebirds at the end of March. Three points and a good performance would be a welcome tonic.
The first home game of the season against Danny Rohl's Sheffield Wednesday is somewhat of a red herring. Despite finishing 20th last season, the Owls were a top-half Championship side after the German head coach's arrival at Hillsborough.
The 2-0 win at the Stadium of Light an unwelcome reminder of how far Sunderland had fallen last season after a comprehensive 3-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. It'll be a good barometer to see how far the Black Cats have come over the course of pre-season.
Recently relegated Burnley are many people's favourites to win promotion back to the Premier League. That being said, the Clarets are yet to appoint a head coach after Vincent Kompany's departure for Bayern Munich.
Like Sunderland, the Turf Moor outfit will be behind their Championship rivals in terms of preparations for next season, given their managerial search. Playing them so early on in the season before any real cohesion can be established, may not be a bad thing. However, the same could be said for Le Bris' side.
The trip to newly promoted Portsmouth at the end of August is a potential banana skin, but also a good chance to lay down an early marker. Fratton Park is a tricky place to go, but the Wearsiders have fared well there in recent visits.
Resurgent under John Mousinho, they ended their Championship hiatus by winning the League One title last year. Predicted to be one of the struggling sides next season, it's a good opportunity - on paper at least - to get an away win under their belt.
Another long trip to the south coast a fortnight later presents itself with a similar opportunity to put a run together. Plymouth battled at the foot of the table last season, now under the stewardship of Wayne Rooney, Sunderland will be eager to pile some pressure on the former England star, whose appointment has already come into question after a recent disappointing spell with Birmingham City.
Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough will be one of the tougher games from Sunderland's first six games. Tipped for promotion this season, the Boro will be hoping for a repeat of last season's result at the Stadium of Light, a 4-0 win to take bragging rights home.
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For Le Bris, a win in the Wear-Tees derby would be a welcome feather in his cap, depending on how results go prior, it could well be a high pressure game. More so than usual. Sunderland's home form was disappointing last season, and with two tough home games against sides tipped to be competing at the top end of the table, Le Bris needs to banish any potential 'home hoodoo' early doors.
The first six games will give us a better indication into how the season as a whole will pan out. As things stand, there are plenty of questions regarding the squad, experience, coaching staff and the club's ambition.
All of which we'll be keeping a close eye on at We Are Sunderland.
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