Is #Sunderland Doomed? Black Cats Fall Again at Home As Season Runs Out!

It seems that just as their long-time nickname insinuates, Sunderland are set for a return to the Championship.

While the Black Cats have more fixtures in hand than their rivals, Cardiff, West Brom and Fulham, they do face the likes of Tottenham, Everton, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United in 5 of their last 8 games meaning that they really only have 3 games to save themselves - only one of them is against a close relegation rival, i.e. Cardiff.

After the bright hope from two gallant Cup runs, the sunshine has really disappeared for the Mackems who to be fair deserve to be relegated.

While their form has greatly improved since Gus Poyet became manager and organized the rabble that was assembled under the phlagmatic Paolo di Canio - really bad mistake even if they did thrash Newcastle United in the derby last season to stay up - the fact is that Sunderland are a side really lacking quality in attack bar Adam Johnson who was amazingly on the bench in a must-win game against West Ham United.

Their defence should be doing much better but now I guess we can see why Ferguson let go of Phil Bardsley, John O'Shea and Wes Brown a few seasons ago.

The signs have long been coming for the Mackems who have failed to fire under quality managers like Martin O'Neill and Steve Bruce. Blame a very questionable transfer policy which has seen them spend lots of money on average players who were discarded by other clubs, including the aforementioned Manchester United trio.

It's a shame as Sunderland are a big club and like Adam Johnson, their fans definitely deserve to be in the Premier League - the passion of the Tyne-Wear derbies will definitely be missed next season.