UNBELIEVABLE:Fifa threatened Sunderland AFC over 10 points deduction due to misconduct from ….

UNBELIEVABLE:Fifa threatened Sunderland AFC over 10 points deduction due to misconduct from ….

Building Blocks and Milestones

With ‘Founders’ Week’ in full flow, it seems apt that the foundations for a promotion push are starting to take shape. Right from the start of the season at Cardiff City, the lads began ticking off various markers, such as the first clean sheet and first away win, and one by one, the necessary aspects of a decent push have been achieved.

 

Sunderland have done well against teams from both ends of the division, have responded strongly to defeat, and have managed to come back from behind to get a result. Every game seems to bring another test that the squad comes through, with Luton Town representing the most physical challenge yet, but still being matched every step of the way.

In previous seasons, the team would have crumbled in such circumstances and probably been out of the game by half-time.

 

In previous seasons, we would have been waiting an age for our first big win. Now, however, we are reaching the checkpoints early and opening a gap not just from those outside the top six but even those outside the top two.

 

I’m not saying we’re going up just yet, but it certainly looks more of a possibility with every passing fixture.

Riders on the Storm

After creating a couple of openings in the first few seconds, a more dogged approach was needed in the following 90+ minutes. Although Sunderland didn’t quite park the bus, the players threw themselves into countless blocks and bravely rose to multiple challenges while also dealing with an intense atmosphere.

 

Bit by bit, they weathered the storm and gave themselves a base to attack from. There were even periods after the two goals where the side enjoyed spells on the front foot, and given the nature of the encounter, this was a night where some of the younger members of the team stood up and showed they are ready to become men.

Sunderland Shithousery

Things got feisty at times at Kenilworth Road, but there’s a growing edge to the lads that’s becoming more obvious. Game management, gamesmanship — call it what you want, but a once naïve side is now being a bit cannier about things and doing the dirty work needed to supplement the undoubted quality that was already there.

 

Sunderland perhaps got away with a couple of decisions (though nowhere near as many as the hosts were making out), yet the street smarts made the bigger difference and meant that when some actual football was played, it was Sunderland that looked the better outfit and made it count.