Is the only way up – or down – for Black Cats?
IT has been a depressing existence as a Sunderland supporter in recent years.
For the last four seasons, Premier League status has only been secured in the season’s final week.
On each occasion, the Great Escape has been greeted with talk of learning lessons and the club never being in this position again.
But nothing has changed, and with every season the survival act has become more unlikely.
It’s very hard to make a case for David Moyes’ side still being in the Premier League come May 21.
With this same scenario being played out on an annual basis, it brings up a brutal question.
Would it be better for Sunderland in the long run if they were relegated to the Championship?
Before yesterday’s match at Watford, they had won only 39 matches in the past five seasons.
That is precious little to cheer for the loyal supporters who continue to flock to the Stadium of Light and fill away sections up and down the country.
The hope of going down would be the chance to regroup, return stronger and win more matches – just like Newcastle United have been doing this season.
But Rafa Benitez was able to regenerate his squad, thanks to the sale of players like Moussa Sissoko and Georginio Wijnaldum for big money.
Apart from goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, there is no one at Sunderland who would generate that kind of cash, as star striker Jermain Defoe could leave for nothing if the Black Cats go down.
Plus, there are seven players out of contract and three more on loan in the current squad.
Whatever division they are in next season, it will be a huge rebuilding job in the summer.
Owner Ellis Short’s interest has been waning with each passing season, and it has strong echoes of what happened at Aston Villa.
Long-term under-investment finally caught up with them and they were relegated last summer.
Randy Lerner was then bought out by new Chinese owners, who have spent more than £70-million on new players under two managers.
Despite that, Villa are only halfway up the Championship and face a real fight to regain their top flight spot for 2018.
The choices for Sunderland are stark. Pull off another unlikely escape act and remain stuck in this vicious cycle, or go down and face the uncertainty of life in the league below.
Whatever happens, life as a Mackem doesn’t look set to improve that much in the near future.