"It's amazing" - Jobe Bellingham sends message to Sunderland AFC supporters as Leeds United looms | OneFootball

Jobe Bellingham has sent a pre-Leeds United message to Sunderland supporters after inspiring Tuesday evening's 2-0 win over Derby County

Jobe Bellingham has sent a strong message to Sunderland supporters following Tuesday evening's victory over Derby County at the Stadium of Light, with a bumper clash against Leeds United awaiting on Friday night.

There had been slight fears that Sunderland were beginning to creak somewhat after losing two of their last three games, with the Tees-Wear Derby triumph over Middlesbrough sandwiched between consecutive away defeats at Plymouth Argyle and Watford.

Sunderland have enjoyed a stunning start during the early stages of the 2024/25 Championship campaign, and the summer appointment of Regis Le Bris is already shaping up to be an inspired call.

They promptly got themselves right back on track by claiming a 2-0 victory against Derby last night, with Bellingham and Wilson Isidor scoring either side of the interval.

Bellingham's strike was a real stunner, and the 18-year-old prodigy has now sent a message to supporters ahead of Friday's showdown at home to promotion rivals Leeds.

Jobe Bellingham's Sunderland message ahead of Leeds United

Following the win over Derby, Bellingham revealed that Sunderland are intending to make the Stadium of Light a fortress heading into the Leeds match and will need to count upon the support from fans.

"At the start of the season, we did speak about that," Bellingham told the press.

"We wanted it to become a fortress and I think it's really shown. We've really applied ourselves in the games. We've been really organised and the fans have definitely helped.

"They got us over the line in probably the Burnley game, I'm trying to think what else, Boro game as well, definitely. So when we do have to go a bit deeper and defend, the fans get right behind us and the goal becomes protected, doesn't it really?

"It's amazing and we've obviously kept four clean sheets at home, which is another big, big bonus."

Sunderland returned to the top of the league table after seeing off Derby, although they will face a stern test when Leeds come to town. Daniel Farke's side, who were 90 minutes away from an immediate Premier League return in last season's play-off final, have started the season in strong form and are only three points behind the Black Cats.

Leeds may well provide Sunderland with their stiffest challenge to date, and Bellingham is under no false impression of what to expect from the Whites.

he added.

"Today was a different type of challenge to what that will be like. As we know, Leeds are a really, really good opposition, aren't they? We're going to have to face the challenge and see what we can do and try and get through it together as a team with the fans.

"It will be a massive boost against a really good team with really good players who were right up there last year and that's where we want to be. So we're going to have to compete against those kind of teams and at home it's a real advantage."

Sunderland will be confident for upcoming Leeds United clash

Although the midfielder is perfectly right in labeling the upcoming affair as a tough test, it is one which Sunderland have every chance of standing up to.

They have already claimed three points apiece against two likely promotion rivals in Burnley and Middlesbrough, and the fact that both of those victories came on Wearside should only instill further confidence moving into the Leeds match.