Sunderland need to win promotion back to the Championship or risk losing their better players. No doubt it's stating the obvious, but time is running out for the Black Cats who are at risk of becoming a stepping stone for Championship clubs.
The recent interest in Ross Stewart from Swansea and Norwich City are a sign of things to come if players continue to impress, with the club in danger of being left behind. Last season, the Black Cats lost top goal scorer Charlie Wyke to promotion rivals Wigan while Elliot Embleton attracted interest from Blackpool after a stellar loan spell.
Fortunately for Sunderland, they were able to hang on to the academy graduate but the longer the club remains in League One, the less effective their pull will be. The Black Cats are without a doubt the 'biggest side' in the division in terms of fanbase but the past few years on the pitch have been dismal.
