Just 15 games stand between Sunderland and the end of the season, and a potential play-off bout. Up next for the Black Cats is a home game against Luton Town.
Sunderland could be about to step on another banana skin as they welcome 23rd place Luton Town to the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night. The Hatters have been poor this season, though the Black Cats have struggled against poor opposition of late.
Regis Le Bris has seen his side draw against Plymouth Argyle and Watford in their last two home games. Last time out it was Watford in a game that Sunderland drew 2-2, once again throwing away a lead.
And if the Black Cats needed a reminder of how tough the race for promotion remains, Leeds United sent them it on Tuesday night after thumping Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road.
The Whites were inspired by Dan James who ran the show. He scored twice in the first half and it’s gotten a few Sunderland fans on social media talking about their own right-sided player, Patrick Roberts.
Dan James hands brutal promotion reminder to Sunderland
James has now scored 10 and assisted six more in 26 Championship games for Leeds United this season. Roberts meanwhile has scored twice and assisted five times in 30 league outings this season.
Roberts has been criticised at times this season, mainly for his lack of actual goals and goal contributions. James’ performance on Tuesday seemed to spark another mini wave of criticism at Roberts, but something is easily forgotten.
Leeds paid £25million to sign James from Manchester United in 2021. Sunderland signed Roberts for peanuts in January 2022, on an initial six-month deal from Manchester City, and he’s been a great servant since.
The Sunderland project remains well on track
Leeds United have had the luxury of Premier League football in recent seasons, meaning that they can go out and spend big on players who can turn them into the Championship’s best.
Sunderland have had to do thing the hard way. But in Kyril Louis-Dreyfus’ four year tenure to date, he’s seen Sunderland go from bargain deals for players like Roberts, to a £20million obligation to buy for Enzo Le Fee.
Last summer, Sunderland sold Jack Clarke for £18million and in January, they could’ve cashed in on names like Jobe Bellingham for £20million. In the upcoming summer transfer window, whether or not Sunderland get promoted, there’ll no doubt be some big player sales, and Louis-Dreyfus’ track record suggests that money will be reinvested, as it was last summer and in the recent January window.
It’s steady progress and although seeing the likes of James blow away Watford can be disheartening, Leeds and Sunderland are two completely different stories. Sunderland remain on track.