Darren Bent moots Premier League first for Sunderland after what he’s seen
Former Sunderland striker Darren Bent thinks that the Black Cats could achieve something special this season.
After 10 games, Sunderland sit fourth in the Premier League, having picked up an impressive 18 points, which is already six more than Southampton achieved throughout the entirety of the previous campaign.
Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Everton saw them maintain their unbeaten home run on Monday night, with Regis Le Bris’ side now unbeaten in their last three fixtures.
Avoiding relegation is still going to be the aim for the large part, but Bent believes that those ambitions could shift if something far more special.
European football could be coming to Wearside
As a result of UEFA’s coefficient, there will be five Champions League spots in the Premier League this season, as well as the usual Europa League and Conference League spots up for grabs.
Now, with 28 games still to be played, Sunderland fans are well aware that European football is nothing but a fantasy at this stage, but their continued form in the Premier League is starting to change the narrative from the outside looking in.
Several pundits have already taken Sunderland out of the relegation conversation, with some mooting far bigger ambitions for the Black Cats, with Bent following suit.
Via talkSPORT on 4 November, he said: “It’s still early, but there’s no way on the planet that Sunderland are going down, that’s for a fact.
“But, I just wonder when Regis Le Bris’ expectations will start to change.
“I wonder if the expectations might shift a bit, and he goes, ‘You know what, let’s go for Europe’.”
Sunderland have never qualified for Europe in Premier League era
Since the Premier League was formed, Sunderland have more often than not struggled towards the bottom of the table.
With the recruitment model and ownership at the Stadium of Light now, that certainly looks to be a thing of the past, with the Black Cats clearly on an upward trajectory.
Sunderland average 1.8 points per game this season, and when totalled over a season, that amounts to 68 points.
Last season, that tally would have earned them Champions League qualification, with Newcastle taking the last spot with 67 points.
As Bent says, it is very early days, but there is plenty to be optimistic about on Wearside.
Enjoyed this article? Stay connected with all the latest Sunderland news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account –@mackemnews247