Sunderland suffered heartache this week with the last-gasp defeat against Leeds United, but they have to pick themselves up in time to face Hull City this weekend.
By half-time on Monday night, Sunderland looked to be on track for a smash-and-grab win against Leeds United thanks to a wonderful goal from Wilson Isidor.
However, Regis Le Bris’ men fell apart in the second half, and Leeds’ dominance paid off as they struck twice from set-pieces, including an injury-time winner.
Fans blamed Le Bris for the defeat, but they will need to get behind the manager and the players now as we approach the final run-in with Sunderland still hoping to snatch an automatic promotion spot.
Sunderland will bounce back with a win vs Hull City
Up next for Sunderland is a clash with Hull City at the Stadium of Light. The Tigers are just one place and one point above the relegation zone in the Championship table.
Discussing the upcoming game on the Championship Check-In podcast, Sam Parkin and Benjamin Bloom both backed Sunderland to maintain their unbeaten home record with an important win this weekend.
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Parkin said: “Let’s go for a pretty resounding response from Sunderland. I’d give Hull a goal, possibly one, but I think Sunderland will win this one… it will be 3-1.”
Bloom agreed with that sentiment, adding: “I like the bounce back narrative for Sunderland. Hull need some wins by the way, they did well in the transfer window but they are loss, loss, draw in the past three.
“But, I think Sunderland will feel a bit hard done by to lose so late [against Leeds]. They’ll bounce back, but I think it will be more nervy than you said. I’m going to go for a 1-0 win to the Black Cats.”
Either way, Sunderland would definitely be happy to get back to winning ways and keep pace with the three teams above them; especially given Sheffield United and Leeds go head-to-head next.
Sunderland have to keep their heads up and fight to the end
Sunderland will naturally feel deflated after that loss to Leeds, but it’s so important for them to remain positive and look at the bigger picture. Yes, Leeds and the Blades are pulling away, but there’s still time to catch them.
The Black Cats now look nailed on to get a play-off spot at the very least, and they’ve been tipped to have a ‘fantastic’ chance of going up that way.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LeedsLeeds | 33 | 21 | 9 | 3 | 68 | 20 | 48 | 72 |
| 2 |  Sheff UtdSheffield Utd | 33 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 47 | 23 | 24 | 70 |
| 3 |  BurnleyBurnley | 33 | 17 | 14 | 2 | 39 | 9 | 30 | 65 |
| 4 | SunderlandSunderland | 33 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 50 | 30 | 20 | 62 |
| 5 |  BlackburnBlackburn | 33 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 39 | 31 | 8 | 51 |
| 6 |  West BromWest Brom | 33 | 11 | 15 | 7 | 42 | 31 | 11 | 48 |
What they can’t do, though, is allow themselves to wallow and stagnate now as we get into the business end of the campaign. Other teams around them, especially those coming from below, will be fighting until the final day to claim those play-off spots, and the momentum that will generate is huge.
Wilson Isidor rallied the fans and told them there is still a ‘long’ road ahead for Sunderland this season. Hopefully, that same spirit and mentality is seeping through the dressing room this week, and we’ll see the Mackems turn on the style this weekend to put the Leeds defeat behind them.