Points in the league come few and far between for Sunderland right now. In seven League One matches under Phil Parkinson, the side have only earned five points. Luckily for the supporters, the club managed to rack up a good haul of points under Jack Ross during the early stages of the season (WhoScored.com).
But this week on Twitter a Sunderland fan used an algorithm to generate Sunderland’s estimated league finish at the end of the season. The results show the Black Cats finish in 15th place with 51 points. It is nowhere near where the club hoped to be at the end of the season, with Stewart Donald setting a target of 100 points back in May (Chronicle Live).
One fan joked that perhaps the 100 point target was meant to be over a two-season period. One fan is surprised that they will finish with a positive goal differential.
I get it now. 100 points over two seasons
— Graeme Field (@Fieldo100) December 9, 2019
How do we end up with a positive goal difference!!? Stupid robots
— Keithy D (@KeithY2Dickie) December 10, 2019
Would you take that league finish if it was offered to you right now?
Yes
No
Other fans are surprisingly relieved. They just hope the club avoid relegation again.
Well at least we stop the rot of relegation in back to back seasons
— Daniel Jenks (@DanielJenks89) December 10, 2019
Well at least we are not relegated
— Dan Crowley (@DanCrow61790578) December 9, 2019
At least we won’t get relegated
— Hummy (@eathummous1) December 9, 2019
Phew, not getting relegated then. We can push for top half next season
— Mark Sugden (@msugden74) December 9, 2019
What do we think?
It’s damning that Sunderland fans are now crossing their fingers in hope that their team can remain in League One. The ultimate goal of a Premier League return seems so far away, especially considering they had managed to reach the League One play-off final last season and were within minutes of heading to extra-time against Charlton Athletic (BBC).