Tony Mowbray has already dispelled the myth that promotion would come too soon for Sunderland, prior to claiming their place in the Championship play-offs. However, the Black Cats boss remains realistic about what promotion would mean for the Wearsiders.
Sunderland have defied the odds to finish in the top-six this season, with one of the youngest squads in the Championship. Mowbray is renowned for getting the best out of young talent, but this season has probably surpassed his expectations.
The Black Cats boss played down talk of finishing in the play-offs throughout the campaign, in part to alleviate any pressure on his young side's shoulders. Now, just three games away from a return to the promised land, Mowbray has outlines just what that would mean.
READ MORE: Sunderland's long-term pragmatism has trumped League One rivals 12 months on
"It's never too soon to get to the Premier League," Mowbray told the BBC. "It has the riches to build your club faster.
"So even if you go up and come down you have greater resource and much greater parachute payments to keep bringing in better players. At the moment, with the finances of the Championship, it's going to take a few more windows to grow the football club."
The Black Cats have already shown they can go toe-to-toe with Premier League opposition in the FA Cup, forcing a replay against Fulham, only to be narrowly beaten at the Stadium of Light. However, such is the gulf in class in opposition these days, Mowbray is keen to stress his side need to be realistic if they were to come through the play-offs victorious.
"I don't say we're going to the Premier League and we will rip it up and be great," Mowbray added. "Every game is a massive event and every team has players that can damage you."
READ NEXT
- Tony Mowbray gives an update on Sunderland's summer plans as the Black Cats prepare for next season
- 'Consolidation? We've smashed that!' Anthony Patterson on Sunderland's Championship return
- Tony Mowbray will not worry about results elsewhere as Sunderland focus on task in hand at Preston
- Sunderland's route to securing a play-off place on the final day explained
- Sunderland's final day trip to Preston North End picked for live TV broadcast
