SUNDERLAND fans proudly claim The Stadium of Light boasts one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the country.

But by quarter past three last Saturday afternoon I can think of two words the Royle Family's Jim Royle might have had to say about that.

As far as football stadia go, the Black Cats' new state-of-the-art home is right up there with the best.

Impressive, inspirational and innovative in places, it's a modern-day monument to the post-Sky era.

But intimidating? Pull the other one.

After sampling the famous Roker Roar, this was the Wearside whimper in comparison.

I'd made the 250 mile round trip anticipating the kind of atmosphere only a packed football stadium can provide.

You know, when every hair on the back of your neck stands on end when the two teams emerge from the tunnel to a wall of noise.

But Saturday's experience was a bit like a box of indoor fireworks -- a few splashes of colour here and there followed by the odd explosion of noise.

All I can say is it's a good job three thousand or so Rovers fans turned up other wise we might as well have been sitting in church.

Now that little rant's over, to matters on the pitch and the only thing more disappointing than the atmosphere on Saturday was the result.

Once again, Rovers more than matched one of the Premiership's more fancied sides yet returned south with nothing to show for their efforts. On paper, the opening four games looked pretty daunting -- Derby and Ravanelli away, the might of Juan Veron and Manchester United at Ewood, then Glenn Hoddle's revamped Spurs and a trip to the 'intimidating' Stadium of Light.

But Graeme Souness's Premiership new-boys have not been outclassed by anyone so far yet only have four points to their name.

Defensively, the pairing of Craig Short and Henning Berg has looked solid enough -- even against Van Nistelrooy and Co -- while Martin Taylor looked head and shoulders above everyone else on the park for long spells against the Black Cats on Saturday.

In midfield, Garry Flitcroft is starting to regain the kind of form which saw him placed on standby for England three seasons ago before he suffered a serious knee injury.

And Alan Mahon looks one of the bargains of the summer after slotting in comfortably alongside the skipper in the absence of the injured David Dunn.

Down the flanks, wingmen Damien Duff and Keith Gillespie look dangerous every time they get the ball at their feet.

And, with Tugay also showing signs of genuine class during his brief cameo in the North East, Souness has an embarassment of riches.

The only thing missing at the moment is someone to put the ball in the net -- a problem which has already cost Rovers vital points so far.

Last season, Matt Jansen was deadly -- be it from two yards or 20 -- as he fired the goals to gain promotion.

This term, however, his magic touch appears to have momentarily deserted him and he's looking hesitant rather than the clinical figure we have come to expect.

But don't panic. Form is temporary, class is permanent and once Matty breaks his duck, expect the confidence to come flooding back as he shows the rest of the top-flight just what he's about.

He won't get a better chance to open his account than against Andy Ritchie's Oldham tonight.

A goal -- even if it's off his backside -- will do the Ewood hot-shot the power of good.

And I'm convinced that when it does arrive, he will soon start terrorising defences the length and breadth of the country. Stadium of mice! New stadium atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired MISSING OUT: But Matt Jansen will come good for Rovers soon