Sunderland have made their 2024/25 Championship play-off place certain after their draw against Norwich with five games to spare.
Sunderland’s 0-0 draw against Norwich on Tuesday evening guaranteed Regis Le Bris’ side a place in the 2024/25 Championship play-offs.
The Black Cats’ performance at Carrow Road was uncharacteristically flat, with their display devoid of any dynamism or creativity.
However, the point earned was enough to make their play-off fate assured, and now attention will turn to the fate of those surrounding them in the Championship table.
Automatic promotion is not out of the question just yet, but Sunderland’s current fourth-place standing is seemingly where they will inevitably finish.
With the rollercoaster campaign approaching its climax, Sunderland fans have been divided in debates as to whether a play-off finish defines this season as a success, or failure.
Sunderland fans divided over success of 24/25 season
Sunderland’s Championship campaign has been a turbulent term of football. Le Bris arrived on Wearside in the summer, an unknown quantity in English football, and transformed the side that signed 16th last season under three different head coaches.
The Black Cats blew teams out of the water with a newfound intensity and prowess, even topping the table for several weeks. However since the turn of the year, their form has faltered as the title-chasing trio above them regained ground, and fourth seems their eventual finish.
Despite eclipsing last season’s points total by 20, with five games to spare, Sunderland fans are divided over whether the season has been a success.
After the Norwich draw confirmed a play-off place, one fan said on social media: “It’s delusional to think it’s been anything but a hugely positive season.”
Another added: “To secure playoffs with five games still to play is an incredible achievement, considering what happened last season.” as another agreed: “Playoffs secured. Excellent. A very good achievement. Let’s go one better.”
On a less positive note, some supporters aired their frustrations with the play-off finish likely. “Wouldn’t be getting too excited, not with recent performances, teams around us are starting to click.”
Another argued: “Won’t be getting my hopes up, we are not good enough. Threw so many points away this season. Think it will be Championship again for us.”
As another said: “Is that our ambition these days. Longest run outside the top flight in our history so remember that.”
Sunderland are on the brink of a historic finish which would return the club to their rightful footballing place, but it is up to Le Bris’ side to make the 24/25 season truly one to remember.
Sunderland’s 24/25 season close to historic finish
Expectations from the Sunderland fanbase have been forced to shift on an almost gamely basis this season. Elation and excitement with the season’s early title charge faded into apprehension ahead of the ensuing play-off campaign, with the semi-final heartache against Luton still lingering two seasons later.
As Sunderland journalist Michael Graham pointed out: “A really good season, no matter what happens from here!”
Sunderland have gone toe-to-toe with the Championship’s title-chasing big hitters, and have enjoyed some iconic moments along the way, that will forever be remembered in Wearside folklore.
Boding the youngster average-aged side in the division, with future stars such as Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg destined for footballing greatness, has made this whirlwind season a success.
However, if this pride-exuding Black Cats team fails to get over the final hurdle and return to the Premier League promised land, their 24/25 Championship campaign will forever be etched into supporter’s hearts and minds as the ‘nearly special’ season – it is up to Le Bris and his squad to inscribe their names on the right side of Sunderland’s history books.