The nerves, the excitment and the adrenaline are all starting to kick in as we get ready for the new campaign.

There is no doubt that there will be high hopes on Wearside this season.

Yet again, we've spent big, and yet again we will hoping that we can start to build on our Premier League status.

And so it is with high hopes that we make our way to the Reebok Stadium tomorrow.

Can Steve Bruce deliver, what many have promised, and yet have failed to deliver?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting European qualification, a cup win, or even a top 10 finish (although I wouldn't say no if I was offered them).

For me, this season will be a success if we manage to keep clear of the relegation dogfight at the foot of the table.

Now you could accuse me of not setting my sights high enough, but to my mind, staying away from the dreaded drop zone would be a marked improvement.

We have long hoped to rid ourselves of the unwanted 'yo-yo team' tag.
And while we managed to secure our Premier League status last term, it was by the skin of our teeth.

Comfortably staying up and finishing around the halfway stage in the table would be a massive improvement on what has been achieved in recent seasons.

In an ideal world, we may hope for more, but supporting Sunderland very rarely comes close to that sort of scenario.

Still, I'm not trying to sound all doom and gloom – far from it.

Bruce has made some good buys during the summer and if we can get them to gel together as a team, people might have to sit up and take notice.

That's why a good start down in Lancashire tomorrow would be ideal.

Beating the Trotters is by no means a foregone conclusion, and you can bet your life they will give us a tough test.

But at the same time, a trip to the Reebok should hold no fears for our squad, and if they take the game to Gary Megson's side, we could come away with a good result.

Just in case things don't go to plan, I'll be wearing my lucky socks.

Keep the faith.