19-02-2015, 19:48
After three matches in six days last week, this week has felt curiously devoid of action, and that emptiness has, for many of us, been slowly filled with a rising sense of optimism. Some of that comes from our most successful cup run in seven years, some from the discovery of a potent new strike partnership at Albion, some merely from having put clear space between ourselves and the relegation zone again.
While those positives have created a feelgood factor, it doesn't alter the fact that the pressure is still on us to amass another 10-12 points over the next couple of months from some very tricky matches. If we want to get to Wembley, we need to make sure our affairs are in order in the league in the meantime. Make no mistake: this Saturday is an important one for us.
![[Image: article_2517722_1999476200000578_458_634x410.jpg]](http://s24.postimg.org/kyvq4yqb9/article_2517722_1999476200000578_458_634x410.jpg)
Sunderland have had a strange season; aside from a nightmare hammering at Southampton in the autumn, they've largely flown under the radar, steering clear of the relegation zone and avoiding most people's lists of favourites for the drop, but remaining constantly in the mix nevertheless. The signing of Jermain Defoe has given them a boost, but they've been very short on wins in 2015, and after losing at home to QPR and suffering a humiliating exit from the cup at Bradford, they trail us by two points and will be desperate for a victory. Gus Poyet's relationship with the fans at the Stadium of Light is turning sour, and it's up to us to try and take advantage of that.
The six-pointer between Hull and QPR this weekend means that at least one team will gain ground on us, so we could really do with a result ourselves. If nothing else, getting a draw and denying Sunderland points would be a good return and keep us in the upper fringe of the dogfight. It's a slight concern that away form under Pulis isn't fantastic, and we can't afford another first half-hour like we had against Burnley, but hopefully last week's home wins may have banished that particular demon.
We've got the momentum - we just need to keep it.
While those positives have created a feelgood factor, it doesn't alter the fact that the pressure is still on us to amass another 10-12 points over the next couple of months from some very tricky matches. If we want to get to Wembley, we need to make sure our affairs are in order in the league in the meantime. Make no mistake: this Saturday is an important one for us.
"Gus, whose idea was it to sign Billy Jones?"
Sunderland have had a strange season; aside from a nightmare hammering at Southampton in the autumn, they've largely flown under the radar, steering clear of the relegation zone and avoiding most people's lists of favourites for the drop, but remaining constantly in the mix nevertheless. The signing of Jermain Defoe has given them a boost, but they've been very short on wins in 2015, and after losing at home to QPR and suffering a humiliating exit from the cup at Bradford, they trail us by two points and will be desperate for a victory. Gus Poyet's relationship with the fans at the Stadium of Light is turning sour, and it's up to us to try and take advantage of that.
The six-pointer between Hull and QPR this weekend means that at least one team will gain ground on us, so we could really do with a result ourselves. If nothing else, getting a draw and denying Sunderland points would be a good return and keep us in the upper fringe of the dogfight. It's a slight concern that away form under Pulis isn't fantastic, and we can't afford another first half-hour like we had against Burnley, but hopefully last week's home wins may have banished that particular demon.
We've got the momentum - we just need to keep it.
Classic Match
Sunderland 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
Football League Division One: 18th April 2004
Eighty-five minutes of all-out defence followed by a crucial last-gasp winner on the counter? I'll take that again all day long...
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley