Back Sunderland for drop as they sink further towards the abyss

18Mar 2013

England - Premier League

Luke Moore thinks Sunderland are showing all the signs of being relegation candidates, and their next three fixtures could make things even worse...

Despite referee Chris Foy's best efforts, Sunderland were unable to secure a home win against an average side down to ten men for an hour yesterday and at times even looked lucky to escape with a point. Norwich were the team that showed more ingenuity, more thought and more urgency going forward, with a listless Sunderland looking bereft of ideas and confidence both of which are worrying signs ahead of what is now a relegation battle for the Black Cats.

In truth, Sunderland have been largely dreadful for a while now. A big defeat at QPR was preceded by a scrambling point after being 0-2 down at home to Fulham and that was preceded by an entire month without a point being added to the tally. Martin O'Neill's side have now won just one of their last eight league games and none of their last six.

That last fact is perhaps the most worrying for Sunderland fans given that momentum is of paramount performance as we enter the last act of a dramatic season. Yes they're currently four points off Wigan in 18th, but Wigan have won two of their last three and have a game in hand. Seasoned watchers of the Premier League will know that being bottom of the form table at the end of March is not conducive to a dramatic end-of-season turnaround.

The lack of ideas shown against Norwich was truly concerning. It's fair to suggest that ten men can be difficult to break down, but the Canaries didn't shut up shop and play for the draw. They didn't need to. Sunderland's play was predictable, lateral and narrow. Norwich were able to get forward and carve out opportunities of their own. If Grant Holt's touch had been better after he was able to take advantage of Titus Bramble's error they would have won the game.

The Black Cats look woefully short of quality. Adam Johnson has shown nothing of the promise he hinted at in his early years as a pro, Steven Fletcher has scored three goals since December and marquee January signing Danny Graham has failed to find the net in his six appearances for the club. The fact that Titus Bramble featured at all yesterday tells its own story about how short of quality Sunderland actually are.

It gets worse for the Mackems, too. The next three fixtures involve a home game against champions-elect Manchester United (last six matches - played six, won six, scored 12, conceded one), a trip to Stamford Bridge and then a derby game against a dangerous Newcastle team, rejuvenated by the addition of new personnel. True, two seasons ago Sunderland secured a famous 0-3 win at Chelsea and that will hold some hope for supporters, but they'll also be acutely aware that the season before that they were on the end of a 7-2 hammering. Stamford Bridge may be chaotic behind the scenes this season, but it has not been a happy hunting ground for Sunderland over the last ten years.

The odds on the red and white side of the north east being relegated have been slashed from 11.0 a couple of weeks ago to just 4.9 today. Expect that to shorten further after their next three games. Sunderland have a fight on their hands, and at the moment there's nothing to suggest they've got what it takes to survive.