3 Reasons Why™ Sunderland Could Have A Top 4 Finish
I emphasise the ‘could’ in the title, because in all honesty it’s very unlikely. Sunderland were relegation candidates a few weeks ago. How can they finish in the top four?
Well they are eighth in the league – yes, that high – and they do have a better goal difference than Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle, so perhaps it isn’t as far-fetched as you think…
The first reason they might do it is the fact that no-one else seems to want to make it their own. Chelsea sit in fourth at the moment with a three-point lead over fifth place Newcastle, but neither Chelsea, Arsenal nor Liverpool are doing themselves any favours this season. Chelsea have drawn five out of the last eight, and losing one. That is 11 points from 24 available against the like of Norwich, Wigan and Fulham – teams Chelsea would expect to beat usually. Liverpool and Arsenal haven’t faired much better. Arsenal, after finding some form, have only won one in their last six (before the Blackburn game) and Liverpool have drawn seven out 11 home games this season.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have won 19 points from 27 available since Martin O’Neill took charge. They have raced up the league and O’Neill seems to have found a way to get their talented squad playing well, something previous boos Steve Bruce couldn’t manage. Spearheaded by the skilful Stephane Sessegnon, Sunderland have found an attacking freedom, whilst remaining responsible at the back – a recipe for success at any level. If (a big if) they can keep their form going for the remainder of the season, they could easily find themselves in the shake up for the last Champions League place.
Their squad is another reason why they might be in with a chance. It is very, very good. Perhaps, player for player, they can’t match Chelsea, but I think Sunderland’s overall squad could stand-up against Liverpool, Newcastle and maybe even Arsenal with their injuries.
They have three good goalkeepers for a start, not something Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool could say (admittedly those three have better first-choice ‘keepers). The Black Cats also have a host of accomplished defenders, with a lot of experience.
The partnership struck-up between Wes Brown and John O’Shea in central defence has been very good, and they have able back-up with the likes of Michael Turner. The midfield is where Sunderland have really found a winning formula. They have hungry youngsters in the form of James McClean and Jack Colback, blended with the subtle talent of David Vaughan and Seb Larsson. Add to this the bite of Lee Cattermole and you have a formidable set-up.
The other teams in the race for fourth also have talented midfield areas, but Chelsea are not showing it and bar Gerrard, Liverpool’s midfield is weaker. Up front Sunderland can match anyone. Yes, Arsenal have Robin Van Persie and Liverpool have Suarez, but Sunderland have a four good attackers. There is Nicklas Bendtner, who despite a lack of composure..and modesty, does have some talent.
They have also got Connor Wickham, who is still only 18, and will no doubt become a very good player.
Frazier Campbell is back in contention after a horrific run of injuries and the 24-year-old showed what he is still capable of against Norwich. Then there is the jewel in Sunderland’s crown – Sessegnon. He has grown into his role as Sunderland’s star man and is now relishing it. The Benin international is very quick and skilful, and has even shown he has an eye for goal. If Sunderland were to make to make the top four, Sessegnon would be a big reason why.
Sunderland’s fixture list is slightly favourable to those of the other fourth place contenders as well. They have a couple of tough trips to Manchester, but apart from that they would expect to be able to continue their good form. Sunderland will also welcome Arsenal and Liverpool to The Stadium of Light.
A win in these fixtures would give the team belief that they could finish in the top four, not to mention the three points and damage it could do to their opponents. If Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea continue their indifferent form, Sunderland could well be in with a shout of fourth place come May.
As I said, the notion that Sunderland could finish in the top four is seemingly highly unlikely, but think about it for a second, and maybe it isn’t?
After all, this has been the most unpredictable season for years – anything can happen!
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February 4th, 2012
Nice to hear from an optimist! I don’t want to pour any cold water, but Sunderland are currently 9 points adrift of 4th place having played a game more than all except Arsenal above them. There is slim to no chance that the 4 teams in Sunderland’s way will all drop enough points to let them in.
Nice dream though!
February 4th, 2012
‘Bendtner’ and ‘Talent’ are two words that don’t go in the same sentence unless you are deluded!
February 5th, 2012
I’m sorry but if they were that good they would never have been near relegation anyway. How you can say their midfield is anywhere near as acomplished as LFC, AFC or CFC is beyond me where are the established internationals, European experience etc etc, what you are seeing is as usual a team has a good start under a new manager, this is to be expected as is sunderlands top half finish given how much they spent in the summer. Top 4? Keep dreaming!
February 5th, 2012
Facts wrong here. Sunderland do not have 2 trips to Manchester. We have already played Utd away.
February 5th, 2012
Shut up Rolando you moron. The new manager buzz doesn’t last ten games. That’s 22 points from 10 games. I don’t think Sunderland will get that Champions league spot, but I do think they will eclipse Liverpool this season. Sunderland have a far better defence, and we already have a plus goal difference of 9, in comparison to your 3!! We have built up a head of steam now, and you’re in the firing line pea head.
February 5th, 2012
Chinenio, clearly the moron here is you since you seem to struggle with numbers, we have concede less goals than you which may indicate we have a better defence ( second best in the league going on goals against) and we have a goal difference of plus 7 not 3. You have also played a game more! Please research your stats rather than make them up, you only end up looking stupid.
February 5th, 2012
Not to mention the fact that we recouped more money than we spent in the summer, thanks to morons liverpool spending £20 million on Henderson
February 5th, 2012
Next Steven gerrard, just needs some time to adapt! He’ll be worth £40m in 3 years! Biggest mistake Sunderland ever made!
February 5th, 2012
Not sure about £40m in 3 years but will become a major player in the premiership and for England. Really didn’t want him to go but good luck to the lad.
February 5th, 2012
Lol. Absolutely no chance but lovin’ that even one madman could write something like this about Sunderland.
February 6th, 2012
It’s all well and good saying that Sunderland have three great goalkeepers, but you can only field one at a time and goalkeepera rarely get injured or suspended.
Give me Reina & Freidel over any Sunderland keeper any day of the week.
Also the comment about the squad is wrong too. You go beyond the surface of their first 11 and there’s no depth or quality there and their hopes are being pinned on a man who’s spent a year out with a broken leg
February 6th, 2012
none of our goalkeepers have made asmany mistakes as Reina and who is the Arsenal goalkeeper that is better than any of ours?To say the sqaud had no depth is silly, apart from the 11 who
started at Stoke there is Bendtner, Campbell, Bramble Brown,Vaughan, Cattermole,Ji,Wickham,Bridge and Krygiakos (sp) so we have plenty od back-up. I personally think we’ll finish 7th but a higher spot wouldn’t surprise me.
February 7th, 2012
And they say NUFC fans are deluded????