Sunderland have climbed to ninth under Martin O’Neill- satisfactory considering their poor start- but what will supporters expect in 2012-13?
When Steve Bruce became the first Premier League manager to be sacked this season- Sunderland were sitting in a perilous 16th place.
Fast forward from November to mid-April, and the Black Cats’ ship has been steadied by highly rated and popular Martin O’Neill.
Having finished last season in 10th, if the club finish in ninth, it will be the slightest of progressions, but one that has to be praised considering their poor start.
The club spent £24 million on new players last summer, £20 million of which was recouped through the sale of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool, but over the last five seasons the Wearside club are the fourth highest spending team in the Premier League when net totals is taken into account.
How much more is American owner Ellis Short willing to lay out in an effort to help the club move forward?
The answer to that, will dictate Sunderland supporters expectations for the season coming ahead.
Watching rivals Newcastle United surprise everybody- sitting in fifth place- will inspire them to believe they can upset the usual monopoly effected by the divison’s so-called ‘top clubs’.
The club can still finish above Liverpool this season, they are three points behind and a game ahead, but it can be achieved, which would be a great boast, although the lethargic display turned in against Wolves on Saturday indicated many players are planning their summer’s already.
Which brings us on to Martin O’Neill’s biggest challenge this summer.
It is not only to spend wisely in acquiring key players to take the side forward- Adam Johnson would be a great addition- but it is holding onto his star players.
At Villa O’Neill became fed up of the ‘big clubs’ plundering his stars, and already he is having to fend off speculation about playmaker Stephane Sessegnon, linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Losing Sessegnon will set Sunderland back immensely, and far dampen their expectations for next season.
If they can keep him, then there is no reason why if the side strengthen, they cannot emulate Newcastle’s success this year by gatecrashing the top six.
Fans will want the club to finish above Newcastle next season, who will have the new challenge of juggling domestic football with European.
Martin O’Neill has shown in his brief time at the Stadium of Light he can produce winning- and attractive- football on a consistent basis, and looking at his past record, there is no reason to think Sunderland will be anything but a top half team in 2012-13.
If they end up next year filling the 8th-10th positions, will supporters feel this is enough?
Fans can rightly dream of higher, they have reason to, O’Neill has got everybody around the club believing again, players included.
A successful summer in the transfer market will increase expectations further. But will they be left disappointed if the club fail to break into the top seven?
It is not just the league- supporters would like a good crack at winning silverware. O’Neill has won Carling Cups with Leicester, and taken Villa to the final, and a similar run will go some way to appeasing even the most optimistic fan.
Sunderland fans, you tell us your hopes for next season- will 8th be seen as satisfactory or the minimum?
image: © vagueonthehow
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