Sunderland's success in recent years can be attributed to many factors, but I'd argue that one of the main drivers of our success has been the fuel provided by doubt.
Time after time, year after year, game after game, Sunderland are written off. Sometimes by our own supporters, yes, but mostly by people in the media, pundits, journalists and other notable figures in the game.
And perhaps, in some strange way, we should be grateful for it.
Because there is something about being underestimated that seems to bring out the very best in this football club.
We've had plenty of credit for how we've operated in that time too, but following the end of last season – where we managed to achieve the unthinkable with a seventh-place finish in our first year back in the top flight – there's definitely been an undercurrent that Sunderland were a little bit lucky to end up where we did.

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