With 17 games to go in the Championship campaign, Sunderland are still firmly involved in the title race, but can they go all the way?
No one would have expected Sunderland to be anywhere near the top of the Championship table at the start of the season, but the Black Cats have defied their critics under Regis Le Bris in style.
The fact Sunderland are on track for promotion at this stage of the season is remarkable, and is testament to the quality of the manager and his young squad.
But, with Sunderland at a major disadvantage compared to Leeds United, Burnley, and Sheffield United in terms of financial power and squad depth, can the underdogs really secure promotion this year?
Will Regis Le Bris’ inexperience hold Sunderland back?
Discussing the promotion fight on the Championship Check-In podcast, Benjamin Bloom and Sam Parkin looked at the credentials of all four teams in the running, and unfortunately, admitted they cannot see Sunderland having what it takes to overthrow the might of the three teams above them.
Parkin said: “It’s hard to articulate why the other three are the frontrunners. Sunderland are a really great team with very few weaknesses. Maybe there’s one or two areas they need to strengthen, you look at the goal threat and maybe Sunderland don’t have that as much as the others.
“But, they’ve been unfortunate with injuries, too. Sunderland are pretty good when everyone is fit, great goalkeeper, competitive centre-halves, two of the best young players in the country in midfield, and a sprinkling of talent in the wide areas. It’s a very well put together team.”
With all that praise for the Sunderland squad, Parkin was left with just one downfall that could see the Black Cats miss out in this Championship battle in the end.
He added: “I don’t know if that inexperience costs them. It’s that know-how that Daniel Farke and CHris Wilder have over Regis Le Bris. But I’m a massive fan. I’d love to see them still there in the automatic shake-up, but I think it will be play-offs.”
The Premier League needs Sunderland
How dull and predictable it would be if it were Leeds, Burnley, and the Blades who go up again this season. The three teams have all tasted top flight football in recent years, and it would be far more interesting from a neutral perspective if Sunderland could upset the balance at the top.
Sunderland deserve a lot of credit for keeping up with those three teams, who have all benefitted from parachute payments. Many had expected the Black Cats to fade out of the fight at some point, but they show no signs of giving up, which is great for the competition.
Let’s be honest, Sunderland are a club that deserve to be in the top flight, and it would be fantastic if they could achieve that this season with such a young squad.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 29 | 17 | 9 | 3 | 53 | 19 | 34 | 60 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 29 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 40 | 21 | 19 | 58 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 29 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 36 | 9 | 27 | 57 |
| 4 |  SunderlandSunderland | 29 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 55 |
| 5 |  West BromWest Brom | 29 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 38 | 25 | 13 | 44 |
| 6 |  MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough | 29 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 47 | 36 | 11 | 44 |
While Leeds, Burnley, and Sheffield United would be much of the same for Premier League audiences. Sunderland, however, would bring an exciting new challenge for top flight teams, and given the incredible talent in their ranks, could have a real shot at staying up, too.
Considering the growing disparity between Premier League teams and those in the second tier of late, the game truly does need something fresh, and Sunderland can offer exactly that.