This morning as I was going through some of the headlines I noticed one saying, “Denilson – We can win title”. Lovely I say, finally the right spirit from our players.

So I start to read. He believes we can win the Premier League because we are in a very good position. I wouldn’t call our position “very good”, but let’s say it could be better if Manchester City beat Chelsea at home which is not mission impossible. And so far so good, I again think this is exactly the right spirit I want from our players.

But then I read this, “You can not expect to win at Sunderland because they have beaten the best sides over the years here and it was always going to be a big game. It doesn’t matter who you play against – whether it is Chelsea or Sunderland – it is always difficult away from home.”

And I stop. Because I’m not sure if I’m the only but that is one of the most shocking and depressing statements I have read in the last two-three seasons. Help me understand – if the Stadium of Light is a place where we should not expect to win, then Jesus Christ, what place is? Anfield is not, Stamford Bridge is not, Old Trafford is not, Ewood Park is not.

I’m sure Bolton, Wigan and Stoke away are also part of the picture. That’s eight teams, more than one third of the whole Premiership. Am I going crazy or some of our players need to grow a pair of balls and start believing more in themselves? And then we wonder why we’re so bad on the road. Sunderland, for God’s sake, the team which ended last season in 13th place, -31 points from us.

By the way, our Brasilian also thinks Chelsea have very strong players but they are older, most likely believing they will suffer fatigue in the later stages of the season. Why is that? Are we not able to challenge them when they are still young and fresh? “Chelsea are strong, but we are stronger” was not an option?

I remember tennis player Andre Agassi saying how he used to win games before they even started because his opponents were already scared just of his name, before even stepping on court. And how it is at Arsenal at the moment? Players going at Sunderland believing a win is not to be expected.

Please tell me I’m dreaming.