They have a brand new manager, who did not win his first game in charge. They are clear the drop, but only by a single point. With just eight games left in this Premier League season, can Sunderland be saved?
Sunderland’s season did not get off to a flying start. They drew on the opening day, away to West Brom 2-2. Sunderland did not manage to secure their first league win until October, in a 3-1 home win over Stoke City. This joy was short lived, as their next fixture was their worst of the season. Poyet’s side travelled to St. Mary’s to face Southampton, and lost by a landslide 8-0. Koeman’s side were deserving of their win, but Sunderland were humiliated.
The ever busy festive period was not kind to the Black Cats either. They recorded just two wins out of ten league games in December and January: 0-1 at St James’s Park and 2-0 at home to Burnley.
The latter part of the season has not been what Sunderland had hoped for. They progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup, but were knocked out by Bradford – who had been one of the surprise packages of the cup this season, after knocking Chelsea out 4-2. The final straw for Gus Poyet came in the home fixture against struggling Aston Villa. Villa dropped their manager Paul Lambert, and brought in Tim Sherwood. Sherwood’s side dominated the Black Cats, scoring four goals in the first half.
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Gus Poyet himself was then sacked as Sunderland manager – to be replaced by Dick Advocaat. The new manager was brought in on March 17, with just over two months left of the season. His first hurdle was away to West Ham, but the home side snatched all three points.
Advocaat certainly has a mountain to climb before the season comes to a close. Sunderland are by no means safe from relegation, given how close points are at the bottom. Sunderland still have to travel to Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal; all of which will be difficult fixtures.
Yet the current relegation candidates will also struggle as the season finishes. Burnley still have to host North London’s Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as travel to West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa. Queens Park Rangers will welcome league leaders Chelsea, and travel to Anfield and the Etihad. Leicester, who are certain to be in the Championship, still have to host Chelsea, Newcastle and Southampton. Sunderland’s saving grace could be the other sides dropping points from these upcoming fixtures. But Burnley could still keep themselves in the league, and it could be Sunderland for the drop.
If Advocaat can’t keep his side up at the end of the season, it is no real reflection of his managerial abilities, it will just go to show that time was not on his side. He has had limited time to learn his best squad and work with his players. If he does stay up, he’ll be a lucky man.
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