Sunderland’s winless run surely must come to an end in the coming weeks – or they and Simon Grayson are in serious trouble.
The international window has provided Sunderland a welcome break from the misery of defeat after defeat.
Simon Grayon’s men actually collected a draw in their last game – against his former club Preston North End – but the Black Cats are now nine without a win in the Championship.
But Grayson will surely have used this time wisely, enjoying a rare opportunity to get to work on the training ground, with crucial fixtures coming up.
Indeed, if Sunderland are to pull clear of the relegation zone and Grayson is to retain his job, they simply must string some results together in October.
The Wearside club have not won – or even led – at home in 2017, but three of their next four matches are at the Stadium of Light and it is time for that rotten run to end.
Queens Park Rangers, Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers are not teams that should strike fear into Sunderland.
A trip to Middlesbrough, another international break and then a fixture against Aston Villa, in their next away game, could reasonably cause concern, on the other hand.
That is what awaits Sunderland after a favourable month. Grayson’s future surely depends on the results of the next few weeks.
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