Sunderland are not 'satisfied' with finishing in the Championship play-offs and are already raising their sights for next season, insists Kristjaan Speakman. The Black Cats returned to the second tier after a four-year absence and exceeded expectations in their first season back at that level, defying a catalogue of injuries to secure a sixth-place finish and a spot in the play-offs.
It was the highest finish by a newly-promoted League One side for almost a decade, but Sunderland went on to lose out in the play-off semi-final on aggregate against Luton Town - with the Hatters eventually winning promotion to the Premier League after beating Coventry City in the Wembley final. The performance of Tony Mowbray's side was one of the Championship stories of the season, but as a result there will be more pressure on them next season as they look to continue their upward trajectory.
And sporting director Speakman says his aim now has to be put together a team capable of challenging at the top of the table. "We want to be putting out a team that can be challenging at the top of the league," said Speakman told the club's Youtube channel.
