The Sunderland faithful have had to endure their fair share of false dawns but, at the risk of jinxing everything, this one feels different.
In Lee Johnson, the Black Cats finally have a young, ambitious, forward-thinking tactician who prides himself on a free-flowing attacking game plan and giving youth a chance.
And, while new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus wouldn’t look out of place alongside the fresh-faced teenagers in Sunderland’s feted academy, he struck all the right notes in his introductory speech before Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Fleetwood Town.
Of course, the thing that matters most is results. But it’s all looking positive there too.
The 2-0 midweek win, their third in succession, lifted Sunderland into fifth place, three points behind Hull City with two games in hand.
And the good news just keeps on coming.
According to the Daily Mail, Dion Sanderson is considering a summer departure from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
And, after a superb run of form at the heart of Johnson’s back line, Sunderland are at the front of the queue to sign their 21-year-old loanee on a full-time basis.
If the reaction by Black Cats supporters is anything to go by, Sanderson is more than welcome to stay at the Stadium of Light for as long as he likes.
In fact, we at HITC are a tad concerned a few excited Wearsiders will end up flogging their wedding rings to make the deal happen.
Here’s what some Sunderland fans had to say about it on Twitter:
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