Sunderland fans shouldn’t be ‘too hard’ on the team following their defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
That’s according to former footballer Sam Parkin, who believes that the Black Cats are still ‘well positioned’ in the Championship table.
Sunderland have endured a rollercoaster first few months of the campaign, having started the season with only one win in five games. However, Tony Mowbray‘s side then went onto win five of their following six matches.
They have since struggled for consistency though, and have now won two of their previous seven fixtures in the Championship – leaving them ninth.
Sunderland were hopeful of battling for a spot in the play-offs once again this season and have spent a large chunk of it in the top six, though a defeat against Huddersfield Town tonight could leave them four points adrift.
While the Wearside outfit are struggling for points and goals, Sam Parkin believes they are still in with a ‘chance’ of winning promotion and pushing on in the new year.
Speaking on the What the EFL?! podcast, the former striker said: “I do not think you could be too hard on Sunderland.
“I mean, they are still well positioned in ninth after a brilliant campaign last time out, so they will still have a chance.
“They have obviously gone about it a different way in terms of signing some younger players from the continent in the summer and they are probably adjusting some of them.
“Well they will probably grow into the season and could come strong in the second half.”
How can Sunderland turn things around this season?
Sunderland have really struggled away from home in recent games, but there is certainly no excuse for them to slip up on Wearside this evening.
A win against Huddersfield will move the home side up to seventh in the Championship and only a point off the play-off spots.
Despite a number of disappointing performances, Sunderland are far from out of the promotion battle and can definitely still turn it around in the new year.
However, I can’t see their struggles in front of goal improving with their current crop. Tony Mowbray definitely needs to bolster his squad in the January transfer window if his team are going to kick on in the second half of the season.
Amad Diallo should be one of the first names on Sunderland’s Christmas list, with the Ivorian’s absence quite clearly having a negative affect on the Black Cats’ attack.