Now that the fixtures for the 2026/2027 season have been released, we’ve all been speculating about how the Lads will start.
On the surface, it looks like a decent start and the fact that we’re away to a newly-promoted side in Ipswich gives us a great opportunity to kick off with three points — but be careful, because West Ham would’ve thought the same last season.
Ipswich finished in second place last season, scraping automatic promotion by a point in the end.
They currently don’t have a manager, a situation
one would assume will be rectified by then. It’s yet to be seen how they’ll prepare for the season ahead with transfer activity during the summer, but you’d think a manager would be a priority, particularly if he wants a say in who they bring in.
All of these things added up suggest we shouldn’t be that concerned; however, the same was said about us last time. We all remember the various predictions — guaranteed relegation, down by Christmas, lowest points total ever — and look how we responded!
My take from this is that we should be careful not to fall into the trap that virtually everyone outside Sunderland (and a few inside) did last year and assume it’s a nailed-on three points. We can be confident that with our setup, we’ll be in a great position to do more great things and with a few more incoming talents, we have every chance of starting with a win.
If that doesn’t happen and we find ourselves on the wrong end of the result, I can see the reaction already.
“One season wonders”, “Been found out”, “Pressure of European expectations”, “Reverting to type”, but I would urge everyone to remain positive regardless of what happens on opening day. Have faith in the owner, the board, the head coach and the players. Have faith in the project.
We’re on a journey of discovery and excitement.
We dragged ourselves back from the embarrassment and ignominy of League One to land ourselves in the top half of the top flight. We qualified for the Europa League on form, with two wins and two draws to finish the season. We’re no pushovers, having taken points off every team in the league other than Fulham — and we even have a chance to rectify that at home in game week two of the new season.
My estimation is that I’d take eight points from the first five games leading into the first three-week international break, and that would give us a great platform to build from for the rest of the season.
Ipswich (A): W
Fulham (H): W
Brentford (A): D
Arsenal (H): D
Man City (A): L
If it doesn’t work out as I hope, I will not lose the faith. I’ll trust the process, I’ll not turn on the team or the head coach — I’ll look forwards and upwards.
For the first time in a long time, I go into a Premier League season with real confidence that my dreams aren’t just that but actual reality. We can do this, and we will.
