After a fairly boring game on Wednesday night that only sparked in the final minutes of extra time to then have to witness the worst, penalty shoot-out in the history of the sport. Sunderland ended up coming out on top. The team who is currently 19th in the Premier League, are on their way to Wembley and not only that, could pull off a Wigan to be in Europe! Sadly the City currently, in form and possibly being the best in the league, it’s going to be a tough task.
This Cup run for Sunderland is significant, as it keeps a good morale within the team and the club. But there is a grey cloud still hanging over them because the bigger picture still is, they are in the relegation zone. Sunderland this season haven’t played too bad, but just aren’t scoring and don’t seem to be able to produce a run of results to get them to safety. Even with having most of the squad fit and an experienced pairing of Wes Brown and O’Shea, the defence still looks fragile and even with the spark in form of Adam Johnson becoming a Carlos Tevez or even a Sessegnon for them doesn’t seem likely.
The Black Cats are in a final, a fantastic event in any coaches, player’s and manager’s career, and a potential spring board. It could also do the opposite, as we saw with Wigan, a trophy in the cabinet, a moment in history and something the fans can be a part of doesn’t mix as well with the feeling of being relegated. It shows it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a push to gain the results needed. The absence of Mingnolet has been a huge loss he was a major factor in Sunderland’s survival last season as he was usually the player to keep them in a game they could’ve lost.
Gus Poyet has definitely steady what was a very rocky ship at Sunderland under Paulo Di Canio. But apart from bringing belief back, not much has changed on the pitch. Memories will be made and have been made in the cup, so enjoy it while you can and maybe with a bit of luck you’ll still be a Premiership club.
Source: DSG
