The games that could cost the Black Cats L1 promotion...
These are the dire performances Sunderland could be made to rue - if the League One season is decided on a points-per-game basis.
The EFL could be set to decide leagues which cannot be completed via an unweighted points-per-game system, in a plan which would see Sunderland finish seventh.
But which games could have ultimately cost the Black Cats promotion?
We take a look at nine games where dropped points could come back to haunt the Black Cats if League One is determined in this manner:
Bolton 1-1 Sunderland (21 September 2019)
The Black Cats travelled to Bolton having lost just once in League One, but couldn’t find their way past a side bolstered by some more experienced recruits. It took a late Aiden McGeady penalty to salvage anything from a game that Sunderland should have comfortably won.
Lincoln City 2-0 Sunderland (5 October 2019)
This proved to be Jack Ross’ final game in the dugout and, given the relative ease with which Sunderland brushed past the Imps later in the season, represented a disappointing reverse.
Sunderland 1-2 Burton Albion (26 November 2019)
In the midst of a poor run of form under new manager Phil Parkinson, Sunderland failed to build on Aiden McGeady’s early penalty. Indeed, their lead lasted less than a minute - as the Black Cats crumbled on home soil.
Gillingham 1-0 Sunderland (7 December 2019)
Sunderland could feel aggrieved not to have taken anything from this game, given Charlie Wyke controversially saw a goal ruled-out late on, but it was another disappointing result in a game which Parkinson’s side really ought to have won.
Sunderland 0-0 Bolton Wanderers (26 December 2019)
More dropped points on home soil as familiar failings - namely a lack of cutting edge - came back to haunt Sunderland. This should have been a comfortable three points.
Sunderland 0-0 Doncaster Rovers (24 January 2020)
At the time this looked to be a good point, given that Doncaster were also in play-off contention, but ultimately it only served to show teams how to stop Sunderland in their new-look 3-5-2 system.
Since then, many other teams have employed similar tactics to Rovers, and succeeded in stopping the Black Cats playing.
Coventry City 1-0 Sunderland (1 March 2020)
One lapse in conce ntration allowed Matt Godden to score, in a game where there was little between the sides. Even a point could have helped Sunderland, who had chances to draw level.
Sunderland 2-2 Gillingham (7 March 2020)
Not even a week later, Sunderland were again ruing missed chances as former Black Cat Mikael Mandron netted a late leveller to cancel out Kyle Lafferty’s brace. Two more dropped points at the Stadium of Light.
Bristol Rovers 2-0 Sunderland (10 March 2020)
Sunderland’s last game before the league was suspended, and arguably their worst pe rformance of the season. Many would have seen this as a guaranteed three points.