To any young kid reading thisā¦
Iāve doubted myself in every league Iāve ever played in.
Ryman Prem.
Conference South.
League Two.
League One.
Championshipā¦
And even right before my first Premier League start last night.
Thatās not weakness.
Thatās being human.
Thatās being alive.
When I was growing up, I thought Premier League players were superhuman.
Like they never felt doubt.
Like they never felt nerves.
The truth isā¦. itās often the opposite.
Social media wonāt tell you that sometimes you step out there with no confidence. Thatās normal. Thatās ok!
You now have to then step out there with courage.
Confidence feels good.
Courage doesnāt.
But you do it anyway. Show courage enough timesā¦. You build confidence.
Hereās the mindset thatās carried me for 31 years.
When it goes well:
I worked for it.
I earned it.
Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.
When it doesnāt:
I know I prepared the best I could.
It didnāt go exactly to plan. Thatās football.
But Well done.
Watch it back.
Get better.
That simple recipe gave me a special moment last night.
Leading the team out.
Playing alongside a group that fights for every ball.
Celebrates tackles.
Gives everything for the city of Sunderland.
And sharing it with supporters who never gave up, even after four tough seasons in League One.
So if youāre a young player feeling doubtā¦
Low confidenceā¦
Or like you donāt believe in yourselfā¦
Youāre not alone.
Every player feels it.
Confidence isnāt something youāre given.
Itās something you build.
Bit by bit.
Day by day.
With courage.
With work.
With learning.
Anything worth building takes time.
But thatās what makes it so worthwhile!
Thank you @SunderlandAFC ā¤ļøš¤
Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won. Justin, all I can say is congratulations⦠and Iād like to tell you to get ready, but youāre screwed no matter what.
I would vote against any British military intervention in Iran. I wish them well, I detest the regime. But it is not our fight, and we should have the courage to say so.
Sanctions, pressure, whatever else. Fine.
But no strikes, no troops, no shots.
No war.
Meet Shaan Shahzad ā a fan of AK-47s and jihadist flags.
Would it surprise you that heās a close friend of Birminghamās anti-Israel duo, Akhmed Yakoob and Shakeel Afsar, whoāll be leading tomorrowās Villa vs Maccabi protest on behalf of Ayoub Khan #AVFC