Don Goodman believes Sunderland made a mistake in sacking Lee Johnson following the aftermath of their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Bolton Wanderers. It took the Black Cats six games to correct their dismal display against the Trotters, losing three of the following five games.
The Wearsiders picked up a point on the road at AFC Wimbledon and drew at home with Burton Albion, a run of results that saw them wave goodbye to their automatic promotion hopes. The red and white faithful grew increasingly frustrated by the board's deliberation when it came to appointing a new manager.
Alex Neil was eventually appointed as Johnson's successor, two weeks after rumours Roy Keane was believed to be the frontrunner for the position. The former Preston North-End boss has endured a slow start at the Stadium of Light, but last weekend's win over Wigan is a hopeful sign of things to come.
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Speaking to the Sky Sports EFL Podcast, Goodman said: "I've got nothing but admiration for Alex Neil and I'm pretty sure if he's given the time he'll be a success at Sunderland. I still feel that they made a mistake and they made an error in sacking Lee Johnson. They reacted to a shocking loss with a little bit of panic, I felt.
"I think the following three games will be the reason why they cannot reach the top two. They lost at home to Doncaster, they lost away at Cheltenham and drew away at AFC Wimbledon.
"I'm pretty confident, had they not sacked Lee Johnson, they would have taken more points from that run of fixtures than the one point they actually took. I think, as I say, the automatic promotion has disappeared over the hill and any drop off in form is going to leave them exposed in terms of staying in the play-offs.
"You've got some really, really good teams in good form. MK Dons have won the last three, Sheffield Wednesday are flying again, even if they do get in the play-offs, It's going to be a tough ask for Sunderland to get promoted.
"Look, positivity, to go away and win 3-0 at Wigan has to give you confidence, it has to be a shot in the arm. They have to take self belief from that. If they can maintain that form, there's no question they'll be in the play-offs and they will be a danger to others in the play-offs."
