Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman believes Sunderland’s owners got lucky in the summer with their decision not to sack Tony Mowbray.
After missing out on the top six in the Championship, there was a genuine belief the former Celtic boss could exit the Stadium of Light. It was touch and go whether the 60-year-old would remain in charge, but he has, and once again, the Black Cats are knocking on the door of the top six.
Goodman, who scored 44 goals for Sunderland in a three-year stay at the club, explained how he almost fell off his chair when speculation mounted around Mowbray.
“I was staggered to hear that his job was in doubt in the summer – I nearly fell off my chair,” said Goodman, speaking to OLBG.
“There’s no smoke without fire, and you wonder where that’s come from and if they were genuinely considering it. They didn’t.
“If their choice to not sack Mowbray was accidental, then the owners have been very lucky.”
Sunderland are currently sixth in the table on 26 points – 13 shy of the top two. Just two points separate them and Middlesbrough in 10th, but Goodman believes that their strength is about much more than a good league position, something Mowbray is a key part of.
“Sunderland’s model is clear to see – they’re developing young players. They’ll have to sell a few along the way and move on to the next batch of players.
“Sunderland have some brilliant young players, and a young group like that can’t be coached by anyone better than Tony. He did it at West Brom and Blackburn. He’s brilliant with young players.”
Missing out last season was certainly a blow for the Mackems, who recently spent the longest spell in their history outside the top two divisions. That disappointment is something they’ll have to get over, but Goodman believes they’re on the right track.
“Sunderland had to recover from the disappointment of last season, and them being sixth is a brilliant effort. They’ve lost Ross Stewart, and I stick to my assessment that if they had him for the whole of last season, they could be in the Premier League now.
“I think the current top four will stay the same until the end of the season, though perhaps not in that order. That means fifth and sixth are up for grabs, and Sunderland are in a genuine race with four or five other teams. Sunderland are in there, and for them to be so high up is a brilliant effort.”
The Black Cats are in action this weekend, travelling to Devon to take on Plymouth Arygle. They’re 16th, ten points behind Mowbray’s side, and Goodman is backing them for the win.
“Plymouth are never easy at home. I think this is a team who are better than their league position suggests and to be honest, it’s a difficult place to go and it’s a long trip. Maybe Sunderland will fly there but it will still be difficult!
“Having said that, Sunderland are in a good place, and when they’re away, the onus will be on the home team to come after them. That’s where Sunderland are at their best. The forward players, like Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts, are flying and they can cause any Championship team problems.
“I’ve gone for goals here – Sunderland to take it 3-1, I think.”
57-year-old Goodman made his name with four years at West Brom before a £900,000 move to Sunderland. He left Roker Park for Molineux for £1.1m in 1994, also appearing for Bradford, Barnsley and Motherwell, amongst others, in a strong career.
Writer’s View
Sunderland are in a good place right now, given that in the past couple of seasons they’ve had to play against the likes of Accrington and Cheltenham in the league.
However, a club of their size is expected to challenge at the top of the Championship, and whilst the lingering memory of League One buys some time for Mowbray, the owners are sure to want to see further improvements.
However, as Goodman says, it’s not all about league position. Sunderland have an eye for talent, spotting Trai Hume whilst he was in Ireland, and they bring good players throguh the Academy of Light.
If they keep doing that, it gives them a good springboard to push on, with Mowbray at the helm.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
