There is plenty of excitement around Wearside as Sunderland prepare to resume their push for promotion to the Premier League with a long trip to Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
The Black Cats have enjoyed a largely positive opening three months to the season and were sat in the Championship play-off spots when thoughts turned towards the international break last week. An impressive 3-1 win over Birmingham City was secured thanks to goals from Adil Aouchiche, Nectarios Triantis and former Blues youngster Jobe Bellingham.
That has given Tony Mowbray's men a platform to build on upon their return to Championship action as they begin the run-in to the crucial festive period when they travel to the south coast on Saturday afternoon.
But what of the season so far? How many Black Cats stars have made it into a Championship Team of the Season put together by stats experts, WhoScored?
1. GK: Vaclav Hladky (Ipswich Town)
WhoScored rating: 6.9 Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
2. RB: Perry Ng (Cardiff City)
WhoScored rating: 7.3 Photo: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
