Now the fixtures are out, the countdown to the new season is under way and Sunderland fans will have already started picking out the key dates. The Black Cats outperformed all expectations last season on their return to the Championship, following up their promotion from League One via the play-offs but immediately securing a top six finish in the second tier before losing out in the play-off semi-finals against Luton Town, who went on to win at Wembley and reach the Premier League.
Sunderland's second season in the Championship sees them take on newly-promoted Ipswich Town at the Stadium of Light in a live televised game on the opening weekend of the season in early August, and ends with another home game against another newly-promoted side in Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of May. But aside from those bookend fixtures, there are crucial games - some obvious, some less so - that could have a big impact on the club's season.
Reaching the play-offs last season was an unexpected bonus, but it will only serve to raise expectations ahead of the new campaign and anything less than a play-off spot will seem like a backwards step, albeit the competition is likely to be even tougher this term given the fact that all three teams relegated from the top flight - Southampton, Leicester City, and Leeds United - will be expected to challenge for automatic promotion. Our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter takes a look at some of the games that could have a major bearing on the Black Cats' campaign.
READ MORE: Sunderland's 2023-24 Championship fixture list in full with Ipswich Town at home on opening weekend
Ipswich Town (h), August 6
A good start is always important, and Sunderland have the chance to make an early mark against newly-promoted Ipswich - one of Tony Mowbray's former clubs - in front of the TV cameras at the Stadium of Light on the opening weekend of the campaign. Kieran McKenna's Tractor Boys finished as runners-up in League One last season with 98 points, so they must not be underestimated.
But, at home, Sunderland will feel that this is a good opportunity to get off to a winning start against a team that has not yet had time to get to grips with life in the Championship. For their part, Ipswich will have looked at this fixture and taken a deep breath - they know they are in for a tough evening in front of a big crowd on Wearside.
Coventry City (a), August 26
Sunderland's first real test comes at the end of August when they visit the CBS Arena to take on Coventry City. The Sky Blues finished one place and one point above the Black Cats last season, but progressed further in the play-offs after beating Middlesbrough in the semi-finals - only to lose in the final at Wembley to Luton Town, who had beaten Sunderland in the other semi.
It has been a story of constant progression for Coventry in the Championship under Mark Robins, finishing 16th, 12th, and then fifth, and they will be aiming to improve on that still further this season. If Sunderland are once again challenging for the play-offs, Coventry are likely to be there or thereabouts too.
Southampton (h), September 2
Coventry might be the first real test, but the visit of Southampton a week later will be tougher still. The Saints' 11-year stint in the Premier League came to an end last season and, as ever, as one of the relegated sides with parachute money to burn, they will be among the favourites to make an early return to the top flight.
Of course, much will depend on whether they are able to keep hold of key assets such as captain James Ward-Prowse. But their new boss Russell Martin had an impressive season with Swansea City last season, with the South Wales club in the promotion picture right up until the penultimate game of the season, and with a better quality squad at his disposal he will be looking towards the automatic promotion places this term.
This will also be the first game after the September transfer window closes, so it will be a good moment to assess the strength of the squad that Mowbray will have to call upon for the first half of the season.
Middlesbrough (h), October 7
Yes, yes. The 'derby' that isn't - at least, not for Sunderland fans.
But still, it's a local rivalry and as such it is a fixture that supporters of both clubs will have sought out when the list came out. More importantly, it is a game between last season's two beaten play-off semi-finalists, and as such it should be a test of the progress made by the respective clubs as the season goes into its second international break.
Boro edged a close game 1-0 at the Riverside last September, while the return on Wearside was a stroll in the park for Sunderland with the 2-0 scoreline failing to reflect their dominance. There's the Mowbray factor, too, of course, with the Sunderland boss coming up against the club where he is regarded as a legend for his time as player and captain, and where he later managed.
Leeds United (h), December 12
Another game against a relegated team looking to bounce back immediately to the Premier League, this fixture will be one of the highlights. Leeds have been in a state of flux since relegation, with a takeover and the departure of ex-Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce, who failed in his four-game mission to save the Yorkshire club from the drop.
As yet, Leeds have yet to announce a successor to Big Sam, but whoever they appoint will immediately be under pressure to spearhead a promotion bid. This game is one of seven in a packed December programme, and Sunderland will need to make home advantage count.
Hull City (a), December 26
The prospect of an awayday at Hull may not exactly set pulses racing, but festive fixtures are always a highlight. It will be Sunderland's 24th league game of the season which makes it the first match of the second half of their campaign, but it also marks the moment where the Black Cats will have played every Championship side at least once (their previous game, at home to Coventry, means they will have played the Sky Blues twice).
Sunderland fought out a 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium last season, with the return on Wearside ending 4-4. Liam Rosenior's Tigers struggled for much of last season but ended up finishing a respectable 15th and will be looking to improve on that this season.
Middlesbrough (a), February 3
The second time Boro feature on the list, but this time for a different reason. This is the first game after the January transfer window closes and by this stage Mowbray will know the pool of players he will have for the remainder of the campaign.
Last season, Sunderland were badly affected by injuries in key positions - not least, with no out-and-out number nine to call upon and, at the end of the season, no central defenders either. The Black Cats must make sure they do not leave themselves short this time round.
Sheffield Wednesday (h), May 4
Sunderland round off their season at home to newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday. If this season ends up like the last, it could be a crucial fixture in which the Black Cats need three points - or even a point - to clinch a play-off place or better.
It could be a big game for the Owls, too, because they may need something from the game if survival is at stake as they look to re-establish themselves back in the Championship. On balance, from Sunderland's point of view, it looks a good final day fixture.
