Home Football Sunderland are a welcome throwback to days when promoted teams thrived

Sunderland are a welcome throwback to days when promoted teams thrived

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Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich have all had fast starts after promotion – but they did it decades ago

By WhoScored

Sunderland have not so much defied expectations as torn them to shreds. You have to go back 20 years to find a promoted side that has picked up as many points after 13 games – Wigan Athletic in the 2005-06 season. Newly promoted sides simply do not start like this anymore.

In fact, the three promoted teams in each of the last two seasons have all ended up facing relegation, and playoff winners fare even worse: seven of the last 11 clubs to come up via the playoffs have gone straight back down. Promoted clubs are supposed to wobble, scrap, cling on; Sunderland have politely declined that script.

Continue reading…Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich have all had fast starts after promotion – but they did it decades agoBy WhoScoredSunderland have not so much defied expectations as torn them to shreds. You have to go back 20 years to find a promoted side that has picked up as many points after 13 games – Wigan Athletic in the 2005-06 season. Newly promoted sides simply do not start like this anymore.In fact, the three promoted teams in each of the last two seasons have all ended up facing relegation, and playoff winners fare even worse: seven of the last 11 clubs to come up via the playoffs have gone straight back down. Promoted clubs are supposed to wobble, scrap, cling on; Sunderland have politely declined that script. Continue reading…