**Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer's feelings about our neighbours are well documented, and while the pundit has to remain as impartial as possible for his job on Match of the Day, he's under no such obligation on The Rest Is Football Podcast.**
It's therefore admirable? interesting? Weird? ... It's something that the Geordie legend has gone out of his way to praise the Mackems for their start to the season.
Somehow, the newly promoted side is sitting fourth in the Premier League and even enjoyed sitting at the dizzying heights of second on Saturday night after beating Chelsea.
Nobody could have predicted this. You see the odd delusional Sunderland fan saying they're going to dominate in the Premier League, but you know that even they don't believe that, they're just saying it for a reaction, deep down they didn't expect this.
Alan Shearer struggled to compliment Sunderland
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It pains us, in the same way as it pained Alan Shearer, to say that they are doing an amazing job so far this season. Unlike Shearer, though, who stopped there on The Rest Is Football Podcast, we will say we don't expect it to last.
> "Yeah, I mean, we talk about recruitment and the money spending from clubs and what have you, and Sunderland have brought a lot of players in. For them to get the balance right as they have done and for some of their performances."Again, we always said about their home form, even their own fans would think 'we're not really expecting to get the win.' They go there in hope, they go there because they support their team."But I don't think many of them would have thought they were going to go there and win the game and get the three points in the way they did. They've had a brilliant start. As much as it pains me and hurts me to say it, you have to say it, well done to them."I have to be impartial on Match of The Day, but I can say what I want on the podcast Micah. So as much as it hurts me and pains me to say it about Sunderland, you have to say well done to them.
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> "They've had an unbelievable start, brilliant results, some great performances. I know their fans are pretty much enjoying it. Yeah, well done Sunderland you have been superb."
They should have been brought back down to Earth by the time the derby rolls around
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We can't even say that they haven't played anyone now, either. They've beaten Man United, who are doing much better this season, and Chelsea, who are always a threat.
That being said, they've still not played any of the genuine title contenders, but that will soon change when they take on Arsenal after Everton next month.
They should be nicely softened up for us by the time the derby comes around in December.