If anyone on Wearside was getting carried away with the idea of a play-off challenge, the last week has been something of a reality check. Eight days ago, with 92 minutes on the clock at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland were preparing to celebrate victory against Bristol City and moving up to fourth place in the table.
A rash foul led to a penalty, led to an equaliser, and the Black Cats' momentum was checked and they stayed fifth. A shock defeat at relegation strugglers Rotherham in midweek did more damage, as Sunderland dropped out of the play-off spots and down to eighth, albeit only a point outside the top six.
And yesterday's 2-1 reverse at Coventry City made it back-to-back defeats, with Sunderland slipping to ninth, and the gap between themselves and the play-off spots has widened to four points. Given their recent form, one point from a possible nine is a very disappointing return.
