Sunderland have 13 games left to decide the fate of their season but if they manage to maintain their current run of form then they could get promoted automatically.
Failing that, they should still finish in the play-offs given their current, and considering how solid they have been defensively recently it is likely that they could overcome any opponent in a single tie. The squad should be buoyed by recent wins away at Oxford and at home to Rochdale, too, as they displayed a number of different characteristics to win six points – talent and skill as well as determination and mental strength.
The key attributes to go up are there, so it may just be down to Parkinson’s ability to get his players to perform on a consistent basis, and the Black Cats’ boss pointed to one factor that may help in that area.
As reported by The Shields Gazette, Parkinson said:
“It helps [not having cup games]. Last year, when I came in, everyone said about the Leasing.com Trophy taking a lot out of the squad.
“Of course you always want to progress [in the cup competitions] but there is a bonus of not being in them.”
At this stage last year, the north-east outfit were still preparing for the double-legged tie against Bristol Rovers, and later went on to play Portsmouth in the final, who are also still in this year’s competition.
As a result, promotion rivals Pompey have a number of extra games to play than Sunderland, and that increases the chances of fatigue setting into their squad, particularly as they have also played fewer league games than everyone else so are having to play catch-up.
Sunderland, by contrast, and in comparison to last year, have more time to rest and recuperate between matches, allowing players to iron out any niggles, and giving Parkinson more time to prepare his players for each opponent.
The Black Cats have some tough games coming up against Fleetwood and Coventry – two teams inside the top eight – but the manager will make his team aware of their threats and Sunderland will feel confident of handling them and others having kept seven clean sheets in their last eight games.
How big a difference could it make that Sunderland are only concentrating on the league? Do you think it means they are more likely to finish in the top two? Let us know!
