Sunderland are currently seven points off the top of the League One table.
Sunderland have had an impressive season so far in their League One campaign and after 12 matches they sit fifth in the table.
The Black Cats have only been beaten once in the third tier, which is excellent considering the rebuild that happened on Wearside in the summer.
Although, despite a good start, Jack Ross’ side have four huge fixtures ahead of them and maximum points need to be picked up to ensure they aren’t left behind by the top two in the division.
Sunderland are currently seven points off table toppers Portsmouth and four points away from second place Peterborough United, a side they drew 2-2 with last month at the Stadium of Light.
Ross’ side do have a game in hand against Blackpool, but that game won’t be played until a new date is confirmed.
And with winnable fixtures in Shrewsbury Town, Southend United, Doncaster Rovers and Plymouth Argyle just around the corner, no less than 12 points will be satisfactory for Sunderland.
Sunderland are clearly in a year of transition, but a place in the playoffs come May of next year where anything can happen would not be ideal.
The main aspiration is clearly automatic promotion and a bad habit of five draws so far this term needs to be converted into wins, starting with their trip to New Meadow this weekend.
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