Yesterday was a truly massive three points. After a six-match winless streak it was vital to get back to winning ways to stay in touch with the top three. It had looked like the same old story as shot after shot rained in, with no-one able to find the back of the net and Regis Le Bris failing to make a change until it looked too late.
Wilson Isidor was once again culpable after missing a gilt-edged chance, indicating he may be lacking the clinical finish of a natural number 9. Then step up Tommy Watson! Sunderland’s new young wonder kid who came up in our moment of need with a magical match winning performance.
As we approach the mid-point of the season, the table has taken a familiar look with Leeds, Sheffield United and Burnley on top but Sunderland not far beyond. A five-point gap has opened up between these and the rest with Middlesbrough in fifth place.
We have now played all three of the top three. We comfortably beat Burnley at home, dominated against Sheffield United but still lost and snatched a draw from Leeds in the game of the season so far. Only Leeds looked better than us for any significant period during these games.
The January window could be crucial in deciding whether we can break into the top three. As Le Bris has highlighted, the lack of a prolific number nine remains our one glaring weakness as we look to strengthen. How well we do this could determine our fate.
