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Well, Christmas is over, the new year is here and it's a new Sunderland era. The last pieces of Peter Reid's rein is disappearing into the past, with the McCarthy era poised for sucess.
We currently sit in 2nd place, only three points behind Ipswich at the top. Our team has gelled and bonded well. Something that has being missing since our last promotion season.
We have new heros in Liam Lawrence, Steven Eliott and Michael Bridges.
Things are looking up, but what can you expect in the coming months as the chase for the title gathers pace! Who will be prompted, who will flop and drop out of the race?!
Starting with the top. I think Sunderland will top the league, around four points clear of second place Ipswich. All teams in the chase have small squads, with the exception of Westham, Sheffield United and Sunderland. This will be crucial in the final months of the season. Sunderland have played some good football this season and also some not so good football. Nothing new there then I hear you say, but the difference this year is that we're picking up points when we don't play so well, getting a little rub of the green, something that Sunderland supporters are not used to. Sunderland scored in the 90th munite to beat Nottingham, but it would normally be us that would be on the end such bad luck.
If you look at the players that Mick has signed, they are all acquired with the Premiership in mind. Good young prospects, with the hunger and desire to prove themselves and become a success at the highest level. Westham have been buying players to just get out the league and worrying about staying their when it comes to it, which doesn't seem to be working.
Our strikers have not been in the best of form, but that's going to click at some point. Stewart and Elliott are expected to produce a run, with Kyle and Piper set to make an impact before the close of season. All these factors will be key to our final league position.
With Sunderland and Ipswich promoted in the automatic places, Sheffield United, Wigan, Westham and Reading will battle it out in the play-offs, which Sheffield United will win. United have come into form at the best possible time and are taking advantage of other teams mistakes.
One other thing I'm backing, is the return of Kevin Phillips. If Southampton are relegated and Sunderland promoted, I'd bet my last penny on Super Kev making a shock return to the Stadium of Light!
We currently sit in 2nd place, only three points behind Ipswich at the top. Our team has gelled and bonded well. Something that has being missing since our last promotion season.
We have new heros in Liam Lawrence, Steven Eliott and Michael Bridges.
Things are looking up, but what can you expect in the coming months as the chase for the title gathers pace! Who will be prompted, who will flop and drop out of the race?!
Starting with the top. I think Sunderland will top the league, around four points clear of second place Ipswich. All teams in the chase have small squads, with the exception of Westham, Sheffield United and Sunderland. This will be crucial in the final months of the season. Sunderland have played some good football this season and also some not so good football. Nothing new there then I hear you say, but the difference this year is that we're picking up points when we don't play so well, getting a little rub of the green, something that Sunderland supporters are not used to. Sunderland scored in the 90th munite to beat Nottingham, but it would normally be us that would be on the end such bad luck.
If you look at the players that Mick has signed, they are all acquired with the Premiership in mind. Good young prospects, with the hunger and desire to prove themselves and become a success at the highest level. Westham have been buying players to just get out the league and worrying about staying their when it comes to it, which doesn't seem to be working.
Our strikers have not been in the best of form, but that's going to click at some point. Stewart and Elliott are expected to produce a run, with Kyle and Piper set to make an impact before the close of season. All these factors will be key to our final league position.
With Sunderland and Ipswich promoted in the automatic places, Sheffield United, Wigan, Westham and Reading will battle it out in the play-offs, which Sheffield United will win. United have come into form at the best possible time and are taking advantage of other teams mistakes.
One other thing I'm backing, is the return of Kevin Phillips. If Southampton are relegated and Sunderland promoted, I'd bet my last penny on Super Kev making a shock return to the Stadium of Light!