Sunderland sit top of the Championship pile after 15 games, and now, former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has given his verdict on whether or not he wants the Black Cats in the Premier League.
It’s been seven years since Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League, and six years since the club were relegated from the Championship.
The Black Cats spent four long and dark years in the third tier of English football but are back on track now, challenging for promotion from the Championship under new boss Regis Le Bris.
Despite three-straight draws going into the November international break, including Sunderland’s disappointing 2-2 draw against Coventry City last time out, hopes remain high for the season ahead.
Sunderland share the top spot with Sheffield United who sit in 2nd place of the Championship table on goal difference. Meanwhile, north-east rivals Newcastle United sit in 8th place of the Premier League table.
Former Newcastle United man Alan Shearer wants Sunderland back in the Premier League
Speaking on The Rest is Football with Gary Lineker, legendary Premier League striker and Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer gave his thoughts on Sunderland, and whether or not he wants them to be promoted this season.
And he said he does. Shearer joked: “We want Sunderland back in the Premier League, because it’s a guaranteed six points for us, isn’t it?”
On a more serious note, Shearer then added: “You want to play in those games. They’re great derby games to play in at St James’ and at Sunderland.
“So I do actually want them back up, because they’re not only good games for the players but for the fans to look forward to as well.”
Sunderland last played Newcastle United in the FA Cup at the start of 2024 but lost the game 3-0 at the Stadium of Light under Michael Beale.
The last league meeting between the two was in the 2015/16 Premier League season. Sunderland won the first meeting 3-0 that season, then drawing at St James’ Park.
Regis Le Bris sets Sunderland points target for promotion
Sunderland fans surely share the same views as Shearer on this topic, and want to see the return of regular Tyne-Wear derby matches against Newcastle in the Premier League.
And whilst Sunderland have had a little blip in recent weeks, they do remain top of the table, and Le Bris’ impressive start to the campaign remains in tact.
Speaking earlier in the season, ahead of what was a dominant 2-0 win over Oxford United on Wearside, Le Bris set Sunderland a points target to earn promotion.
He said: “The promotion [tally], I think, should be around 90 points. [Maybe] 82, 88, I don’t know.”
Last season, Leicester City and Ipswich Town earned automatic promotion with 97 and 96 points respectively.