Sunderland are set to start their ninth straight season in the Premier League this weekend, and retaining this status for a tenth year, comfortably, will be their main aim in 2015/16.
Expectations
Bearing in mind what has gone on over the past couple of seasons at Sunderland, you would feel expectations are realistic among coaching staff, players, owner and fans. One can't really see the Mackems getting near the top half of the league because they are sticking with groups of players who have been part of the teams that have nearly been relegated the past three seasons.
Also, in terms of both quantity and quality, the promoted teams and the sides who finished around them last season have done a lot of appealing business in the transfer market. It looks on paper that only two of the four summer signings so far will start in the team, those being either Younes Kaboul or Sebastian Coates, to partner John O'Shea at the back, and almost definitely Jeremain Lens, on either wing, who will bring a bit more excitement to Wearside.
If Dick Advocaat can't strengthen too much further, as well as getting some more bit part players out of the club, then one can only really see another relegation fight on Sunderland's hands. With this being said, the position expected for the club is likely to be between 12th and 17th place in the Premier League table.
A good start
A crucial part of whether Sunderland can avoid another relegation battle is their first few results of the season, which, over the past three years, have been terrible for different reasons. Under Martin O'Neil and Gus Poyet, the team were far too negative and did not win a game for at least a month into the season, while under Paulo Di Canio, the club's personnel were an embarrassment on and off the pitch.
However the first few fixtures this season really give Advocaat's side a chance to get off the ground running and not be playing catch up from the word go. In the Black Cats first six games, they take on fellow last season strugglers Leicester City and Aston Villa, as well as facing newly promoted pair Bournemouth and Norwich City respectively.
Overall, Sunderland have a relatively kind run in terms of fixtures until the busy festive period, which will be particularly tough for the team as they play Liverpool and Manchester City twice, along with Chelsea and Arsenal either side of the New Year, whilst Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also crop up in this two month period. However, if a decent points tally has been picked up by this time, then this run won't be as worrying.
Team strengths
The team's rearguard is their main strength, with Costel Pantilimon in goal behind a choice of centre-backs; including Coates, Kaboul and O'Shea, meaning they should be well organised down the middle. Also, out wide they look good in defence as Billy Jones is a good all round player while Patrick van Aanholt is fantastic going forward, and recent signing Adam Matthews adds needed depth with his versatility in the back line.
Another obvious strength is a proven goal-scorer at Premier League level courtesy of Jermain Defoe, who will lead the line. The former Tottenham Hotspur man almost managed to finish the club's top scorer after arriving in January last season and, after a full pre season back in England, he should be able to hit double figures this term.
Team weaknesess
Despite the previous comment, the team's obvious weakness from last season was goals as now departed Connor Wickham was the club's top scorer with six in all competitions. Defoe's January arrival clearly helped in the run in, but getting players from midfield into scoring positions was an issue and the likes of Jack Rodwell and Emmanuele Giaccherini, when fit, are players who will be expected to step up in that regard, along with Lens.
However, to score goals you have to create chances and that again was a huge issue for the team last season, mainly because of the various 4-3-3 interpretations where the three central midfielders would not offer much in terms of creativity, namely Jordi Gomez, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Cattermole. Perhaps Giaccherini and Adam Johnson staying in the team is crucial to that, but some things are out of a manager's control.
Importance of not leaving things late
The last few games of the season have been crucial for Sunderland in recent times and, whilst they'll hope not, they might be crucial again.
It will be tough for the Mackems to get late results if they need them this time around though as they have a tough final 10 games. As well as a local derby with Newcastle United, Sunderland will face teams who will be competing for the title and European places, while also going up against sides who will be fighting for their lives themselves at the end of the season.
Prediction
Sunderland will not have enough to break into the top half this season but, thanks to a couple of smart buys, they won't be in another relegation battle either. If Adovcaat can focus on ensuring the team are creating and finishing chances, then Sunderland will steer clear of trouble, given that they have a good first couple of months.