Sunderland ‘Danger’ mooted ahead of promotion playoffs – Exclusive
Sunderland have been warned of the potential repercussions that could follow if they fail to get promoted at the end of the season.
Ahead of their clash with Bristol City on Good Friday, Sunderland are well aware that they have nothing left to play for in the final four games of the regular season.
While it was only officially confirmed after the draw to Norwich, the Black Cats have been resigned to their playoff fate for a while now, dating back to their defeat to Leeds United.
However, once the playoffs come around, Sunderland will need to improve based on their recent showings, and a failure to do so could prove costly to their promotion hopes, which would, in turn, spell out some bad news ahead of the summer window.
Finance expert warns Sunderland of potential summer exits
If Sunderland fail to get promoted, the interest in several key players will increase, and it will become rather difficult to retain their services.
Jobe Bellingham has been linked with a move away, as has Chris Rigg, and Dan Plumley expects them to move on if promotion isn’t achieved.
Speaking to Mackem News, the finance expert said: “I think that’s the danger for Sunderland, isn’t it, and it just feels a bit flat there at the minute, they’ve had that playoff place sort of confirmed for so long.
“They’ve developed great players, it’s part of their model at the moment. They are players that have come through and that’s great to see and they’ve got real future potential in that squad but ultimately if you don’t get promoted then it will become difficult to hang on to some of those players because you will have Premier League clubs that are looking and some of the promoted clubs that might be looking as well.
| Sunderland | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Jobe | 36 | 4 | 3 |
“I think it’s likely that you do lose a couple of those assets if if Sunderland don’t get up through the playoffs and if you are going to kind of consign yourself to that then you’re absolutely going to want to to up the fee and then and make sure you get the best deal possible.
“Some of the names that like Rigg and Bellingham, Sunderland will try and drive up the price as much as possible.”
Regis Le Bris must deliver promotion this season
It has been an excellent season for Sunderland, but a failure to get their hands on the reward come the end of that will be disappointing, but also detrimental to their ability to do it in the future.
Regis Le Bris needs to get his side back on form and ensure that they can enter the playoffs with some momentum.