'Incredible' - New signing blown away by quality of Sunderland support

Sunderland fans did not see a win at Millwall, but they certainly left a big impression.

Joe Gelhardt described the Sunderland fans as ‘incredible’ as he got his first taste of playing in front of the away support.

Nearly 3000 Sunderland fans descended upon Millwall on Saturday to help the Lions record their biggest home attendance in 28 years.

The game finished in a 1-1 draw, and Gelhardt failed to shine in what was admittedly very difficult circumstances, but the quality of the support certainly left an impression on him.

"From Sunderland down to London, it's incredible how many people came,” Gelhardt, on loan from Leeds United, told safc.com.

"Me and all the team, we can't thank them enough for coming and showing their support. On another day, we get three points and they go home happy but I'm sure they saw we gave it our all."

Gelhardt will be a key player for Sunderland for the rest of the season with him being the only available striker in the entire squad.

He, though, says he is ready to embrace that responsibility, especially given the creative talents around him.

"I've seen them all in training and I know how good they are, so to play with them - especially Amad, and Jack and Pat and the way they link up together - it's great to be part of it and I'm looking forward to the next game and hopefully we'll get three points in that," he said.

"[Millwall is] a tough place to come, I think everyone knows that.

"We came here and we knew what to expect - long balls, second balls, and it would be a scrappy game. But I thought we fought well and in the end we were unlucky not to get three points, especially in the second half when I thought we were on the front foot and on another day I think we might have got another goal late on.

"Other than that, I thought we played quite well and we'll take a point. Every point is important. We know how close this league is, and as long as we don't lose and it's a performance to build on, we can look forward to the next game and hopefully getting three points in that one."

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