Well, that’s that then. All is well and we can look forward to ‘winning streaky’ Johnson rather than ‘losing streaky’ Johnson. So, let’s look at what games are coming. And, with the most important man in red and white on his way in a month, let’s look at fixtures to then.
Tuesday Shrewsbury Town (A)
27th Nov Cambridge United (A)
OK, let’s be honest, if we can’t beat Shrewsbury and Cambridge it’s going to be a long old season. But they are both potential banana skins with compact grounds and battling teams trying to prove their worth in this godforsaken division. But one of the biggest reasons for this week’s importance is that the other teams around us play each other on both Tuesday and Saturday. Wycombe and then Wigan travel to Plymouth, MK Dons and Wycombe travelling to Sheffield Wednesday while Rotherham face far from easy away trips to Oxford and Ipswich. But maybe we shouldn’t be worried about others. Look after ourselves and keep over two points per game and the season will look after itself. Well, that’s another thing, win the next two games and we get back over two points a game.
4th December Oxford United (H)
This is a huge game. It’s our next home game and, obviously, we need to be fortress Stadium of Light to go up. But this is one of our games in hand and they only count if we win them! Oxford have improved gradually and are just out of the play-off spots. A challenging game but, a must win.
7th December Morecambe (H)
This is Morecambe at home. I mean, no disrespect intended but, Morecambe. At home.
11th December Plymouth Argyle (H)
Now this is where it gets interesting. Currently top of the table, Plymouth have been playing well and deserve their current position. But before this game (at the Stadium of Light remember) they’ll have faced Wycombe, Wigan and MK Dons (and Rochdale, FA Cup). If they get results in those league games, they have to be treated as serious contenders for the whole season. If not, perhaps we can take advantage of their dip in form.
18th December Ipswich Town (A)
Well, we know we can beat them. Just. Maybe. But the attraction of Arsenal on the horizon could be a problem. That and the fact they’re actually quite good.
We need to get back to where we were a few weeks ago. I’m maybe too greedy but I’d like to see us keep going in games and turn a couple of these sides over, lay down a marker and boost confidence. To keep the two point a game line we need 13 points from these games so the minimum target has to be four wins and a draw.
But this is Sunderland. So, let’s settle for six wins and going into the Christmas programme top.
