Heading to the Sunderland game on the 4th, but it's the first time I've been to the place. Anyone familiar with the ground and know whether there's any areas around there to be wary of on match days? I live in Newcastle, so I'll be heading there on my own, and didn't want to end up wandering into trouble in my blissfully ignorant state. :D

Go to the wetherspoons near Sunderland station. Not sure how many blues will be in as its midweek but that's the normal "away" pub. About a 15 min walk to the away end

Nice one, will do!

We are going too so will probably head there as well.

No hassle normally with us up there... It's a sh*thole... They've also ruined it by moving the away fans in the gods... But have a good'un and sing loudly and proudly!

This ended up being a very silly evening. Made it to the Watherspoons in seemingly tons of time. Was delighted to discover £2.20 pints for the first time in about a decade. Then halfway through the first pint checked my phone and saw the time was actually 19:43.. My watch had chosen the absolute worst possible moment to stop..

 

Ended up missing the first 5-10 minutes, but Eden being god-like made it all worthwhile.