There has been a monumental shift in mood at the Sunderland football club this season with general doom and gloom giving way to fresh hope.
That is largely down to the departure of owner Ellis Short and the arrival of Stewart Donald, who has managed to reconnect the club to its fans and with it bring an exciting brand of football.
New manager Jack Ross must also take a lot of credit for that.
In the summer, he brought in a host of new recruits but spent just over £800,000, using the loan market and free agents to his advantage.
The Black Cats currently sit third in the League One table as we pass the half-way mark in the season but with two games in hand on both Portsmouth and Luton Town who sit above them they will be confident of breaking into the top two sooner rather than later.
With just one win in their last three, however, it will be interesting to see how the Scot lines his side up against Blackpool on New Years Day.
Until then, here is how we think he should do it...
Of course McLaughlin will continue between the sticks.
The summer signing has probably been the stand-out goalkeeper in League One this season and it would be mad for Ross to disrupt him.
With Mathews still sidelined O'Nien should continue at right-back.
He did a decent job against Shrewsbury and should be able to deal with what Blackpool have to offer as well.
It will be tempting for Ross to rotate during the Christmas period, but he should leave his centre-backs alone.
Flanagan has formed one half of the impressive partnership and interrupting it now would be a bad move from Ross.
He will know that, however.
Partnering Flanagan will, of course, be Baldwin.
The centre-back arrived to very little fanfare in the summer but has gone on to become a firm fan-favourite, with his often old-school defending going down a storm at the Stadium of Light.
Expect to see James come in for Oviedo.
The Costa Rican is likely to leave during the January window to free up wages and Ross will be keen to prepare for life without him.
Moving into midfield and expect to see Power drop to the bench.
The Wigan loanee has played the full 90 five times in a row now so Ross will be keen to rest him with McGeouch likely to take his place.
Cattermole is likely to continue in midfield.
The youth of the Black Cats' squad this season has been a huge advantage to them but so has the experience of the North East veteran.
On the right-wing should be Watmore.
The attacking areas are the ones that suffer most during busy schedules and with Watmore making cameo appearances from the bench in recent weeks it is time to give him some game time.
Gooch has arguably been the club's player of the season so far.
His link-up play in an impressive attacking unit has been outstanding and despite ongoing contract talk, Ross should stick with the American.
And on the left expect Maguire to continue his return.
The forward was outstanding earlier in the season until he suffered an injury, but with him back in the side they undoubtedly have an extra edge.
Charlie Wyke has returned to full fitness but that should not get him an automatic start.
Maja scored his 13th League One goal against the Shrews and continues to be the stand-out young talent in League One.
Ross must start him.