Sunderland’s promotion push will be made quite difficult due to what they lack compared to the Championship top three.
The Black Cats are set to clash with Norwich City at home this weekend, where a win could help cement their lofty position in the Championship table.
Sunderland have done incredibly well to sit in the higher echelons of the table at this stage of the season, and new boss Regis Le Bris deserves massive credit for what he has achieved up until this point.
The recent form has been on the shakier side for Le Bris’ side, but they are still up there fighting, something that is a remarkable feat considering one clear difference between the Black Cats and the top three in the Championship.
Regis Le Bris makes ‘depth and experience’ claim over Sunderland and top three
Sunderland were by no means expected to find themselves where they currently sit in the Championship, and that comes down to some clear areas that divide them from the current top three.
Le Bris has not shied away from the differences as in his pre-match press conference, he said: “We’re probably not in the same place in terms of depth and experience [as the top three]. But this is our model, our identity and I think we have many strengths. Probably we will have difficult periods to manage.
“We have to believe that our dynamic will be positive in the end.”
All three sides that Sunderland are currently competing for promotion against have found themselves in the top flight in the last three years, whilst the Black Cats are hoping for a return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
- READ MORE: Regis Le Bris anticipates ‘different’ Sunderland experience that ‘doesn’t exist at all’ in Ligue 1
Kristjaan Speakman can correct depth issue in January by signing top target
Sunderland are without a doubt going to bring in new faces in the January transfer window, especially considering the several areas that are in dire need of overloading due to a lack of depth.
One position that Le Bris is currently struggling for options is on either flank, and this could be solved with the loan free signing of Louie Barry from Aston Villa.
The left-winger, who is currently plying his trade in League One with high-flyers Stockport County, has scored 14 league goals in the 2024/25 campaign, and his confidence would almost certainly translate into Championship football.
Sunderland are keeping an eye on the 21-year-old talent, but will have to battle away several other Championship sides for his signature.