Lloyd Isgrove knows what it feels like to win at Sunderland.
And the Wanderers’ wideman hopes his team-mates get to experience the same emotions when they go to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Isgrove was in the Barnsley side that beat the Black Cats in a New Year’s Day Championship fixture in 2018.
He now returns to Wearside as part of a Wanderers’ side aiming to end Sunderland’s 100 per cent home record and to get within a point of Lee Johnson’s fast starters at the top end of League One.
And the Wales international is ready to perform again on the big stage with a crowd in excess of 30,000 expected for one of the games of the day.
“In this league you look for the sort of Sunderlands and the Ipswichs. We are really looking forward to this one,” Isgrove said.
“If you’re not up for this one, you can’t get really get up for any game.
“They are a massive club as well with a great fan-base.
“When I’ve played there before I’ve enjoyed it, so I’m sure the lads who haven’t played there will be looking forward to it more than most.
“It’s a good place to play and if you do well and get the win, it’s a really good feeling.”
Sunderland are being kept off top spot by Wigan Athletic only on goal difference after just one defeat in their opening seven games.
But Wanderers have started well away from home with two wins and a draw for their first four games on the road.
And Isgrove insists Ian Evatt’s men won’t feel like underdogs as they look to bounce back from last Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Rotherham United.
“We were disappointed with the result last Saturday – not the performance as much – so we are looking to put that right against Sunderland,” added the 28-year-old, who is enjoying an impressive run on the right-hand side of the Whites’ midfield.
“There haven’t been many times where we’ve lost two in a row so to get a good result this weekend would be massive.
“We don’t really fear anyone. There’s no-one we play who are really going to wow us.
“We’re going to keep playing our way and try and get good results.
“We’re looking forward to having a few fans there and we’re definitely looking to get the win.”