This weekend Chris Coleman’s Sunderland pulled off a shocking result when they drew with table-topping Wolves. Now that’s done, the real work can begin.
Before the match, Sunderland had just 14 points compared to Wolves’ 48. They had scored 26 to Wolves’ 41 and conceded over double, letting 38 past compared to Wolves’ 17.
In the game itself, Wolves had 23 shots to Sunderland’s 1, they created 13 chances to Sunderland’s 0, yet Sunderland found a way to grind it out.
It was an incredible result. Unthinkable when one considers just how bad Sunderland have been lately. New manager Chris Coleman has improved them, but to be so good against a side as solid as Wolves?
But that’s the thing; in his first four games, Coleman knew Sunderland had to face-off against Aston Villa and Wolves, two high-flying teams that greatly outstrip his own in terms of quality.
They lost to Villa, but then they beat Burton (earning their first clean sheet of the season) and then they were drawing 0-0 with Reading when Callum McManaman got sent off; they subsequently lost the game 1-3, but the defeat was heavily influenced by the red card.
Then came Wolves, and a thrashing looked on the cards. But Sunderland were organised and resilient. They bent, sure, allowing 23 shots involves a lot of bending, but they did not break.
With that brutal test out of the way, now the real work can begin. Sunderland’s next game is at home vs. Fulham. The Cottagers are 12th in the league with a goal difference of 0. They’re not a hugely expansive side even though coltish left-back Ryan Sessegnon will need to be accounted for.
After Fulham is Birmingham, again at home. Birmingham are a side as miserable as Sunderland, with just 16 points they sit one place above the Black Cats in the table and have only scored 10 times all season.
Sure. next up is Sheffield United away and this is a tough one. The Blades are currently 6th, but Sunderland could be in luck because they’re on a miserable run of form, having won just one of their last five, losing three of their last four games.
The last game of 2017 is away to Nottingham Forest, who are firmly mid-table in 11th. Forest have also lost three of their last five and have conceded more (35) than they’ve scored (31).
2018 begins with Barnsley visiting the Stadium of Light. Barnsley are in hideous form, having lost their last five games to leave them sitting 20th with 20 points. A definitely winnable game for Sunderland.
Those are five eminently winnable games for Sunderland. Alright Sheffield United could be tricky if they re-find their form, but if Sunderland can knick a point off Wolves then there’s no reason to say that, with Chris Coleman’s coaching having more effect as time goes on, Sunderland can’t begin to seriously climb the table.
A goal of 11 points from those games (three wins and two draws) would be reasonable, and those points would lift Sunderland out of the mire and allow them to finally turn their season around.
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