Sunderland legend, Julio Arca is very optimistic that current head coach, Sam Allardyce can lead the Wearsiders to a comfortable Premier League finish.
A mid-table berth would be welcomed by the fans and club after surviving tight relegation battles by the skin of their teeth for the past four seasons.
Remembering the better days of Sunderland
As most will remember, Arca was under Peter Reid’s reign when the Black Cats achieved the club’s best ever League finish; a staggering 7th place for two straight seasons.
Reflecting, he told the official club website: “If you look back it’s the same kind of school that they come from - Sam Allardyce and Peter Reid.”
Describing the fans ‘frustration’ for the past four seasons, he feels that it is the ‘last thing Sunderland fans want to do is go through’ in the upcoming campaign.
With the supporters being behind the club every game - through the ups and downs and every home game - ‘it’s a full house’ regardless of the result.
“But towards the end of the season they played really well, they fought for each other and obviously there was a big influence from the manager," Arca added.
He is "sure" that Allardyce will "get the team right", and will do so by "bring[ing] new players" to the club in a bid "to get stronger" across the board.
Arca concluded, “But I’m looking forward to seeing Sunderland being comfortable in the Premier League this season.”
Preparations begin next week for the pre-season games ahead of the new campaign; it all kicks off at the end of this month travelling to face Hartlepool.
The first game of the fresh new term starts on August 13, when Allardyce takes to the road to face Manchester City, for Pep Guardiola’s first competitive game in charge.