Carlton Palmer has urged the Sunderland hierarchy to invest in the squad in January in order to aid their bid for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
The Black Cats extended their advantage at the top of the Championship table with a huge win away at Luton Town on Wednesday evening.
Régis Le Bris’ side has now won back-to-back away games since returning from the October international break, defeating Hull City last Sunday.
Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle scored goals to secure a win over Rob Edwards’ club, maintaining them in the automatic promotion spots.
After 11 games, the margin to fourth-place West Brom is currently six points, providing some breathing room for the pursuing pack.
Palmer still feels that Leeds United, Burnley, and Sheffield United will have an advantage over Sunderland by the end of the season.
However, he believes that the Black Cats’ management should back Le Bris in the summer to improve the team’s prospects of finishing in the top two this season.
“Two back-to-back wins for Sunderland away from home, 1-0 at Hull City and then 2-1 at Luton Town,” Palmer told Football League World.
“I’m waiting for the bubble to burst, and I don’t anticipate Sunderland to continue in the top two.
“They’ve played 11 games, winning eight, drawing one, and losing two.
“They’ve scored 21 goals and only surrendered nine, totaling 25 points; it’s a tremendous start for Régis Le Bris.
“I kept thinking, ‘When is the bubble going to burst?’ I do not know.
“I still expect, as I said, Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United to be strong teams, as well as Middlesbrough, Norwich, and Blackburn, who are still hanging in there.
“Then you glance down and see Watford.
“I think they’ll be upset if they finish short of a play-off position this season, but from my perspective and the hierarchy, this is as good a time as any to go for promotion this season.
“When you come to the January window, go out there and get a player to help you get over the line.
“My gut instinct is that Sunderland will not finish in the top two; I still believe the top two will be Luton, but Leeds and Burnley are very, very strong.
“Sheffield United are very strong; I understand Chris Wilder has to bring in some new players to strengthen his group.
“If you look at the deducted points, they are still four points behind Sunderland at the present.
“So, my gut feeling is that Sunderland will not finish in the top two, but I keep thinking, ‘When is the bubble going to burst?'” It hasn’t happened yet, but if we get to the halfway point of the season, if we get to 23 games and they’re still in that position, you’ll say, “Okay, this is serious now, Sunderland has a chance.”
“But the hierarchy have got to look at this and say we’ve got as good a chance this season as any, let’s try and invest in the January transfer window and bring in those players to get us over the line.”
Sunderland has had a solid start to the 2024/25 season. Here are the championship standings as of October 24th.
Team
P
GD
Pts
1
Sunderland
11
+12
25
2
Burnley
11
+12
22
3
Leeds United
11
+11
22
4
West Brom
11
+6
19
5
Sheffield United
11
+6
19
6
Blackburn Rovers
11
+5
19
*Sheffield United were deducted two points.
Sunderland has won three of its previous four games, with the fourth ending in a 2-2 home tie with Leeds.
The victory over the Hatters has moved Le Bris’ side three points ahead of Burnley in second, with Leeds level on points with the Lancashire club in third.
Sunderland’s win over Luton has enhanced their position in the table, after West Brom, Sheffield United, Blackburn Rovers, and Norwich City all dropped points in midweek.
The Wearsiders’ next game will be at home against Oxford United on October 26.
Regis le bris.
It’s difficult to ignore Sunderland’s promotion credentials.
Sunderland were not widely touted for automatic promotion during the preseason, but their performance in the first 11 games has led many to reconsider their forecasts.
Le Bris has shown to be an excellent choice as head coach, bringing out the best in a youthful squad.
Sunderland have even maintained to produce strong performances despite injury concerns, with Dan Ballard and Eliezer Mayenda absent in recent weeks.
It’s been an outstanding start, and if they can keep it up, they should be in contention for a top two slot by April and May.
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