Three important fixtures are in the near future for the Lads, as the results of these games will more than likely define our European dreams.
There has been an awful lot of discourse around our chances of securing a European spot since we secured safety and it has never been so prominent than in these next three.
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I have quite a relaxed view of this specific debate, to be honest. Of course, Europe would be a brilliant achievement that would be terrific for the players, fans and the club but if it comes to the end of the season and we don’t end up with a continental tournament spot secured, then I would still be pleased with how the season went.
This has been the best season I have had supporting Sunderland and one that I will never forget – especially if we get results in the next three games.
Our first opponent is Tottenham Hotspur, who are in complete turmoil. Teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, Spurs are submerged in one of their worst ever seasons.
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They haven’t won a league game since December, the players appear to be giving up the ghost and the manager’s seat in the dugout is scalding hot.
A few days ago, this game would have been a lot more predictable. Igor Tudor got zero joy from the squad and the supporters couldn’t see where the next win was going to come from. Now they have pivoted quickly onto Roberto De Zerbi, our meet-up a less predictable and much tougher game, I reckon.
Presumably, their players will have woken up from the relegation sleepwalk and will be looking to both impress the manager and actually put some effort into staying in the league.
Of course, our Lads will be well up for it too, still buzzing after completing the derby double. It’s been almost a month since our last home game and I hope that the Lads are motivated to give the red and white army something to shout about again.
Regardless of whether Tottenham are preparing to give it their all in order to try and stay up, we have home advantage and spirits are high. They are in terrible form and I know that we will be ready to rumble next Sunday. I am confident in a positive result for the Lads in this one, but I am struggling to break out of the ‘staying up’ school of thought. For most of the season, a draw has tended to be a good result as each point took us closer to safety. But now, three points is a much better benefit to our European chances than one point, especially at home – so I guess that a win is what we need and we definitely have the capabilities to get it.
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After that, a tough trip to Villa Park lies before us. Villa are having a good season and are a good side with some talented players, so heading there won’t be easy. However, they are starting to show some evidence of fatigue due to their busy schedule and that may have an effect on our match. We face them just four days after their second leg in the Europa League quarter-finals, which will hopefully give us a nice edge in terms of squad fitness and sharpness.
When we faced them at the SoL, it was quite a strange game. We were on the back of that comeback victory against Brentford and the impressive point at Selhurst Road, whilst Villa were in that period where they couldn’t buy a goal, making it an interesting spectacle. Then it turned on its head, when Reinildo kicked out stupidly, getting himself sent off. Poor Chris Rigg was sacrificed on his full Premier League debut because of it. Isidor equalised to get us a good point, but looking back the strange circumstances of the game doesn’t give us much to work off in terms of how this one may turn out.
Their strength on home turf changes the situation around what a good result would be. As mentioned, we need to get as many points as possible to give ourselves the best chance of European qualification, but if we come out of there with a point I don’t think there will be too many unhappy faces.
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We round off April with another home game – and a special one too. We face Nottingham Forest in a fixture that has been chosen as part of the Made in Sunderland Week. The club have done excellently to strengthen the link between the club and the city itself and this is a continuation of those efforts. There will be a fan zone around the Stadium with a full celebration of Sunderland being set up. “Local singers, creators and talent” will look to create a brilliant atmosphere which will be compounded by the installation of the ‘Welcome to Sunderland’ sign. A touching call back to Roker Park and emphasises just how well managed the club has become. This makes it a great event and a game to look forward to.
In terms of our opponent, it is rather similar to Tottenham. In the grip of a relegation battle, Forest have also rotated managers, making it an unstable place to be. Despite their domestic troubles, they are still involved in the Europa League. In fact, they are a great example of what could happen as a result of European qualification and not backing it up appropriately in the summer window. Forest will be desperate for points and I am sure that they will be right up for it, but we will be the favourites in the bookies, I presume. This fixture provides another opportunity to get three important points and again, they feel very gettable.
Overall, April seems like a crucial month. The two home games are huge opportunities to get ourselves right in the mix, but Aston Villa away will be a tough one. Tottenham could be anything by the time we meet them and for all we know Forest could be looking safe or starting to be cut adrift by the 24th of April. But, as they say, whatever will be will be and I have absolute faith in the Lads continuing to do us proud.