Oxford visit to the SOL has real six appeal

SUNDERLAND’S strong start to the season might be even better on Saturday if they defeat Oxford United at the Stadium of Light.

As well as the possibility of overtaking Peterborough United at the top of the League One table, it is also an opportunity to extend the unbeaten start to the season to six games.

It would also make it four victories in a row for the Black Cats something they have not achieved since 2013-14 during the miracle run to Premier League safety under Gus Poyet.

After a period of real discontent and mediocrity at the Stadium of Light, sealing the run of wins would really go a long way to convincing manyt the new regime at the club can turn around the fortunes.

During that 2014 run, Poyet’s side ended Jose Mourinho’s incredible invincible record at Stamford Bridge by beating Chelsea before then claiming the scalps of Cardiff City, Manchester United and finally West Brom to secure their top-flight status when all had looked lost just a month prior.

They lost on the final day at Swansea to end the run at four wins.

Victory over Oxford this afternoon will leave Jack Ross looking towards next Saturday’s home clash with Joey Barton’s Fleetwood with five successive league wins in mind (although there is a midweek Checkatrade Trophy clash with Stoke Under-21s to come prior).

You have to go back 11 years to Roy Keane’s time in charge for the last time Black Cats fans saw their side put that kind of run together.

Between March 17 and April 14 in 2007, Keane’s side won five on the trot against Hull, Cardiff, Wolves, Southampton and QPR to take a big leap towards winning the Championship title.

Defeat to Colchester ended the run and momentarily put the promotion party on hold.

Six days later promotion was confirmed as Sunderland beat Burnley 5-2 at the Stadium of Light.

A week later Keane’s side made sure they went up as champions, beating Luton 5-0 at Kenilworth Road.

Can Ross’ Sunderland side make it to five league wins on the bounce?

Time will tell but the fact we are even talking about the possibility is a positive sign ood times are returning for the Black Cats.