Cats have to pounce now

SUNDERLAND have got the new owner, a new board and a newish manager fresh with modern ideas and drive.

Now they need a new division to play in next season – and the next fortnight is a defining one for Kyril Louis Dreyfus’ Black Cats revamp.

A fourth year in League One would be a huge setback for a club whose rightful place is knocking on the door of the Premier League.

After a rocky six weeks, Lee Johnson’s men face Northampton today searching for momentum.

Can they cope with the pressure? The recent run-in suggests not. Automatic promotion was in their hands at the start of April, unbeaten in 13 games, with 11 wins.

Then came a run of seven without victory and four defeats, as Hull and Peterborough raised their game, sending shockwaves through a welloiled and effective squad.

The fitness of Charlie Wyke (left) – the first to score 30 goals since Kevin Phillips – and Aiden McGeady is key for the play-offs.

Johnson has been unlucky with injuries, losing five centrebacks recently, including Dion Sanderson, Tom Flanagan and

Jordan Willis.

Almost the entire Sunderland squad are playing for their futures, with 21 out of contract.

That will be a strength if they get promoted via a second trip to Wembley this season.

At the moment they are very much a League One assembly, with a rump who lack the running power and guile for Championship survival.

The next two or three games will be the end of the line for many of this squad, meaning the jeopardy of the play-offs will not mean as much.

Johnson’s job is to convince his players they can make some history.

Promoted stars are always remembered as heroes as a club rebuilds.