Terry Butcher
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

"It wasn’t the best of free kicks. Naismith flicked it on and it caused mayhem in the Sunderland defence. You can see why they have only picked up four clean sheets this season."

A in-swinging delivery from a free-kick causes mayhem in the Sunderland area. It bounces around like a pin ball and the ball is hacked away from under the cross bar. That was a close shave. How it got through bodies is anyone's guess.

John Murray
BBC Radio 5 live commentator at Carrow Road

"Stand by for an afternoon of real relegation tension."  

To a huge roar we are underway and as Liam Brady chases a ball down the Norwich left, people are off their seats and screaming encouragement. A non-nonsense boot into the crowd by a Sunderland defender halts him.

Sam Allardyce and Alex Neil shake hands and Allardyce has some sort of sick smile on his face. It's like he revels in this cauldron of relegation pressure.

Image source, Getty

Former Sunderland turned Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso is a Black Cat for life it seems...

The players are in the tunnel. Lee Cattermole bouncing on the spot. 

"Let's go please, thank you very much," shouts some gent who is obviously organising the entrance for TV purposes.

"COME ON!!" comes the cry from one player. Here they come and there's noise everywhere. Clapsiticks make a right jangle and Delia Smith is even clapping hers. Well in Delia.

Image source, PA

Simon Peter MKariuki: Honestly believe today is the day Big Sam begins the black cats survival!! All the best Sunderland AFC.

These bad boys are getting their first collective clap in anger. The fans seem to be loving them. Like a baby with a new rattle. They've had the seal of approval. 

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport looks ahead to Saturday's relegation battle between Sunderland and Norwich at Carrow Road where there is "a lot at stake" for both clubs.

Sunderland were just doing some sharpeners.

What's a sharpener I hear you say. That's my name for the final little sprints players do before going down the tunnel. 

Everyone is inside now. There's a Norwich flag being waved by the tunnel and the ground is full, swelling like a plump Delia Smith Christmas turkey.

So how are you guys feeling? Any Norwich or Sunderland fans out there? Those nerves frayed yet.

Just a warning for you all. The last time I did a live text on Norwich they lost 5-4 with the last kick of the game. Fancy another one of those?

Tweet me on #bbcfootball.

Terry Butcher
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

"Sunderland have been there before but it is a big ask if they lose this game."

Talk about been there, seen it, done it...

Image source, .

It's just one loss in four for Norwich, including two wins, so they have a modicum of momentum coming into this one. 

Couple that up with the noisy clapsticks and they have this in the bag don't they?

Terry Butcher
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, .

"It is pretty much wrapped up if Norwich win and Newcastle lose. 

"Sunderland have still got some tough fixtures and from psychological point of view, it is not a must win game as such but a game that both managers would love to win but don’t want to lose."

Image source, Getty Images

I spoke to John O'Shea at the start of last season. I asked him why Sunderland were always in a relegation mess and he assured me it would not be the case in 2014-15. He was adamant but again, they went close to the drop, finishing 16th.

The fact is, Sunderland and relegation go together like Thelma and Louise, like Mickey and Minnie, like Torvill and Dean, peas and carrots. 

Their last three finishes read 17th, 14th, 16th. Defeat today and they are looking nailed on to finally marry relegation and be done with it.

Image source, Getty Images

There's a carnival atmosphere planned for Carrow Road today.

As the players warm up - Norwich in a circle bouncing around on the spot - Sunderland in a square doing sprints, the yellow and green seats slowly fill.

Fans have been handed inflatables and clapsticks today so expect it to look something like Disney land and sound like the London Marathon. As long as there's no Vuvuzelas in the house I'm fine.

Now, speaking of Disney...

Image source, Getty

Right, you know where I am. Send me your thoughts on this relegation humdinger. 

We're on #bbcfootball or on text at 81111.