With the season starting on Friday, Sunderland are in need of an early boost after a tough week.
Sunderland’s summer was difficult from the off, with Simon Grayson’s appointment delayed and the Black Cats landing a tough start to life back in the Championship.
Derby County, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United – each with promotion aspirations – provide Sunderland’s first four tests of the campaign.
Grayson, therefore, could have done with a seamless pre-season, but that has not gone to plan – even if they won four of their first seven friendlies.
A 3-0 defeat at St Johnstone had taken the shine off other positive results, though, and another Scottish opponent, in Celtic, left Sunderland’s plans in tatters last weekend.
Brendan Rodgers’ men ran riot at the Stadium of Light in their final pre-season friendly, winning 5-0, and there are doubts about the Sunderland futures of several players, for a variety of reasons.
Jeremain Lens, scorer of four pre-season goals, continues to be linked with Besiktas – with Sky Sports reporting a rejected bid – and Sunderland head into their season opener with an underwhelming projected line-up.
Whether by hook or by crook, it is now crucial that the Black Cats get a result against Derby on Friday.
If Norwich, Wednesday and Leeds represent daunting opposition as it stands, the fixture list will look even more menacing if Sunderland stumble at the first hurdle.
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