From the moment we sealed promotion, our aim has been to focus on survival and consolidation, yet after eleven games, we’re fourth, so is it time to start dreaming bigger?
We’re heading into the November
international break — our third in the space of eleven games — and it’s not come as a welcome relief. Typically, we’d see the break as a chance to recharge and focus on training after, usually succumbing to a defeat in the Premier League with a John O’Shea rallying cry ringing in our ears.
This time though, things couldn’t be more different.
We’ve just watched the Lads go toe-to-toe with league leaders Arsenal and deservedly earn a point with a piece of 94th minute magic that will live long in the memory. We’re sitting fourth in the Premier League. Read that again. Fourth. Above Manchester United, Liverpool, and Spurs.
It’s euphoric, but it also creates a fascinating new problem: What on earth is represents “success” this season?
Let’s rewind to August.
The mood from our side — especially as more signings came in — was one of cautious optimism. The bookies had us as favourites for relegation and most pundits (who could barely find us on a map) had us in their bottom three, not bothering to do the slightest bit of research into who we were bringing on board but instead deciding that we were just throwing money at the problem and hoping for the best.
The messaging from the club, led by sporting director Kristjaan Speakman, was clear, consistent, and sensible. After the chaos of promotion, this season was about one thing: consolidation — and Speakman was clear.
We have to be sensible… and ensure any short-term actions help us retain our Premier League status.
The plan was to be like Nottingham Forest and ensure Premier League survival before starting to thrive. A top-half, tenth-place finish at the end of the season? I would’ve ripped your arm off for it and it would’ve been a monumental success.
However, that was before Granit Xhaka arrived and decided to change the club’s entire mentality. It was before Dan Ballard was pocketing world-class players and it was before Brian Brobbey announced himself with that holdup play against Chelsea and a goal against Arsenal.
The original target of survival, and even the ambition of top ten now feels like it’s underselling what is happening at the Stadium of Light. This has split opinion, pitting the head against the heart.
This argument is simple: “Calm down. It’s only November and there are twenty seven games left to play”.
A top ten finish for a newly promoted club is still a massive achievement. Our current run has been incredible but a few injuries, a bit of bad luck, or a tough winter schedule (December is brutal) could see us slide quickly.
Let’s not be Icarus. Unlike Davey, let’s not get carried away, pile pressure on a young team and a new manager, and call the season a “failure” if we finish eleventh. Speakman’s goal of long-term, sustainable success is the right one. Let’s consolidate, build, and then attack Europe.
But then I look at where we are in the table and I think about how we’ve performed. Frankly, balls to playing it safe and accepting mediocrity. Why can’t we qualify for Europe? Why not us?
Football is about moments, and we’ve taken every opportunity so far. We aren’t fourth by accident. We’ve gone to tough places and won. We’ve stood firm against the league leaders. This team, this manager, this system…it just works.
Telling this team to “aim for tenth” isn’t good enough.
You have to ride the wave and if we’re fourth in November, the new target has to be Europe. The players are clearly capable of it and settling for consolidation now would be a wasted opportunity. We can see the impact that confidence and synergy on the pitch has on teams —just look at Liverpool or our horrible neighbours away from home.
I have no doubt that this team (and this is the only word we should use to describe them) will continue to have the highest possible standards. As a result, I think we should be aiming for Europe.
The head and the heart are what make being a Sunderland supporter weekly torture, and this internal debate is the perfect example.
For me, the public stance from the club will remain focused on consolidation and the magic number of forty points. It manages expectations and protects the players but internally? You can bet your life that Xhaka, Régis Le Bris and the others in that dressing room are looking at the table and thinking, “Why not?”
This team has earned the right to have its ambitions reset.
