ANOTHER away day, another sold-out away end for Sunderland. Regardless of where the Black Cats travel in League One, no matter how far, it is becoming a familiar theme to see every seat taken.

That was the case at Bradford before the international break and it was also the case at Coventry City where there was a staggering 5,000 or so at the Ricoh Arena. In fact it has tended to be anywhere Sunderland have played this season.

And that is set to continue. There will be 1,600 at Shrewsbury Town this afternoon, all looking for a result that will see Sunderland keep the pressure on the promotion chasers. There will also be a full travelling section at Doncaster on Tuesday and then again for the trek to Plymouth on November 3.

And if they can all make the sort of racket they did at Bradford a fortnight ago then that is only likely to help Sunderland’s players, which was exactly the case at Bradford when they battled away to earn three points despite going down to ten men.

But Jack Ross, the Sunderland manager, also accepts having a huge following can also inspire the home crowd to crank up their own performance levels – like struggling Bradford managed.

“I do feel as if we are in a unique position, not completely because Portsmouth and Barnsley will continue to have big support, but we know that we will be backed by big followings away from home,” said Ross.

“What we have face every time we go away from home is that I have seen how home fans come out in bigger numbers when we were there.

“The previous Saturday at Bradford they had 20,000 there and they responded to us having a few thousand there. We are facing it. We are getting better at it, realising the challenge is there. It makes every one of those challenges greater and more special when we pull it off.”

The atmosphere at Valley Parade was extra special. Aided by Max Power’s sending off, the players and the fans came together to get the job done and when the final whistle was blown the celebrations suggested more had been achieved than just a victory in the 11th league game of the season.

Now, having had last weekend off because of the internationals, Sunderland have another couple of away dates in a row; although not quite as far as the double header at Gillingham and Wimbledon earlier in the season.

Ross said: “We have had the back-to-back away games before, two in London, that was challenging logistically. These are a bit easier travelling wise.

“It’s still two tough games for us though. Selling our allocation again is loyalty, it brings a greater intensity to the game. Bradford was a great example of that. The manner of the performance, faced with adversity, it does help, undoubtedly it does help and that showed.

“But any of those fans who go away have a financial commitment, a time commitment, because there is a decent amount of travelling involved. We have to be aware of that and I think we are.

“The appreciation should be there if we win or lose from my players of those fans who do that, then the mutual appreciation is there if we win. We have had good results away from home in front of big crowds and that’s great for those who travel. Hopefully they will continue.”

Shrewsbury have made an indifferent start to the campaign after missing out on promotion via the play-offs last season and sit mid-table. Since then Paul Hurst left to take over at Ipswich and John Askey is now in charge.

“Naturally they have played so well, almost achieving promotion, there was going to be a hangover,” said Ross. “They lost Paul Hurst to Ipswich, important players as well.

“John is building a squad there again and it does take time, we have found that here. They will be frustrated not to have continued the momentum from last season.”