Already this season, people are starting to write Sunderland off in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Sunderland currently sit in 1st place of the Championship table for this month’s international break.
It comes after a 2-2 draw against Leeds United last time out and after a rapid start to the season under Regis Le Bris.
The Frenchman has defied early expectations and made emerging title challengers out of a Sunderland side that finished in 16th last time round.
Speaking recently, BBC pundit Rob Staton backed Sunderland to fall away by Christmas, following shaky performances against Leeds, Watford, and Plymouth Argyle since the September international break.
Fans remain optimistic for the season ahead, albeit cautiously. But there’s many eyes starting to turn towards January and what business the club could do then.
Transfer rumours are already emerging ahead of the New Year, with Jordan Henderson linked with a return to Sunderland amid his struggles at Ajax.
Kieron Brady worried about Sunderland January spending
Sunderland spent well during the summer transfer window. After selling Jack Clarke to Ipswich Town, the Sunderland owners forked out on deadline day in particular.
In fact, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus made his two most expensive Sunderland signings in Milan Aleksic and Ahmed Abdullahi.
But that may well have left very little for January, unless Sunderland sell another player, or Louis-Dreyfus simply overspends in a bid to reach the Premier League.
Speaking on Total Sport, former Sunderland man and now BBC pundit Kieron Brady highlighted the potential for spending of clubs around Sunderland in the table.
Brady said: “One of the concerns I would have is that, when you get to January, and if any of the clubs that are reasonably expected to be amongst the challengers, find that they have to go out and bring in reinforcements, I think that they would be more prepared to do that.”
Sunderland have already proved that spending isn’t the be-all and end-all
Sunderland spent their share of money in the summer, and on players that haven’t even featured yet; Aleksic and Abdullahi are yet to play a single minute.
Then there’s the likes of Jenson Seelt, Aji Alese, and Ian Poveda to return to fitness, so in a way, Sunderland already have a few ‘new signings’ lined up.
Come January, there’ll no doubt be one or two positions that Sunderland will want to bolster. But the loan market could come to their rescue.
Whilst the likes of Leeds United and Burnley may have more resources to buy a player in January, there’s ways for Sunderland to compete still, as they’ve shown so far.
The Black Cats return to action against Hull City later this month.