But my main hope ahead of tomorrow night's clash with Manchester United is that we don't get a good hiding.

Of course, I'd love us to go to Old Trafford and come away with a point (or if anyone upstairs likes me, all three).

Playing United is never an easy prospect, but on their own turf it's a massive challenge.

Some fans will have already written this one off as a defeat, while others will go with blind faith.

I wish I was in the latter camp, but after giving it the big 'un ahead of the Burnley game I'm adopting a much more cautious approach.

But whatever the result, I hope we don't go down without a fight.

Our last trip to The Theatre of Dreams saw us defend for our lives with 11 men behind the ball – we still lost 1-0 after a late goal.

The performance led to perennial whinger Gary Neville complaining about our negative approach (it's called defending, Gary, surely as a full-back you recognise it).

Ahead of the game, Steve Bruce has sounded a rallying call, urging his side to show what they're made off.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see whether he sticks with the back four which faced Wolves last weekend.

It's obvious that Bruce sees the likes of John Mensah, Michael Turner and Paolo Da Silva as the playres he wants to build his defence around.

However, it is also clear that those players still need time to gel, and that may well mean that the Black Cats boss goes for Premier League experience for this clash.

Whatever side Bruce puts out, he will be determined that they throw everything they have got at the Red Devils (hopefully, Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole won't take that too literally or we could be down to nine men before the final whistle).

I have to say, I did Cattermole a big disservice before he arrived on Wearside, claiming the midfielder was just a clogger (to be fair, in the games I'd seen him in, he'd played just like a clogger).

However, I'm big enough and daft enough to admit when I'm wrong (I've had a fair bit of practice), and it looks like the Teessider will prove to be a great asset to the club.

If both he and Cana can play to their best, while avoiding seeing red, then we might be able to take the fight to United. That would be a huge plus.

While it's still all about beating the teams around us this season, it would be nice if we could give the big boys the odd scare or two (we can but dream).