Sunderland have Europe in sights, but there’s an elephant in the room – Bromley’s Blog
Sunderland’s Wear-Tyne Derby win against Newcastle is yet more evidence that the Black Cats can aim for more than just survival in the Premier League this season.
The win, of course, gave the Mackems bragging rights against their local rivals, but lost in the result was actually the fact that Sunderland moved onto 26 points in the Premier League table.
Regis Le Bris’ team are currently sat just two points outside the top four, and have double the points that 18th-placed West Ham have.
So relegation is realistically not a worry for those of a red and white persuasion.
Sunderland are on track for Europe – but AFCON presents an issue
Is it time, though, for people to start thinking about Sunderland as potential contenders for European qualification this season?
It might seem far-fetched. It feels weird even typing it out.
The reality, though, is that 16 games is a big enough sample size to pick out whether a team is legitimate or not – and the evidence we have had from the Black Cats this season is that they are a legitimate threat to every team they face in the Premier League.
Le Bris has his side well organised and drilled, evidenced by their unbeaten home record and the fact that they’ve only lost four games all season.
The elephant in the room is AFCON, and Sunderland are one of the most hit teams in the country. Noah Sadiki and Reinildo are huge losses, while Chemsdine Talbi, Bertrand Traore, Arthur Masauku and Habib Diarra really put a dent in the squad depth at the Stadium of Light.
That being said, the recruitment team at the Academy of Light have done more than enough to make up for these losses.
Can Sunderland’s strength in depth save the day?
Sunderland will likely enter AFCON with a team consisting of Robin Roefs, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard, Omar Alderete, Nordi Mukiele, Granit Xhaka, Lutsharel Geetruida, Enzo Le Fee, Simon Adingra, Brian Brobbey and Romain Mundle.
Even in reserve, the club will have players like Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil, Chris Rigg, Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor and Luke O’Nien – so it isn’t like they are going to be relying on U21 players through this period.
If Le Bris’ side can get out of the AFCON period still in touching distance from the top six, then you’d have to say that they are more than likely going to be in the battle ‘til the end.
And with Sunderland’s ‘til the end motto, you can’t rule out a shock push for European football come the end of the season.
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