Don Goodman names two key men Sunderland will need for promotion challenge

Former Sunderland striker Don Goodman believes Tony Mowbray is the ‘perfect’ man to lead Sunderland in another play-offs push this season.

Mowbray succeeded Alex Neil last August after the Scotsman’s shock departure to Stoke City, and he proved a revolution in his first season in charge.

Under the Teessider’s stewardship, a very young Sunderland team reached the play-offs and played some thrilling football along the way.

They have continued to trust in youth this summer, meaning they have actually got a little younger in terms of the squad’s average age, but Goodman says Mowbray is ideally suited to what Sunderland are trying to achieve.

Speaking to OLBG, Goodman, now a respected Skey Sports EFL pundit, said: “They've kept all the players that you would want them to keep, and they've added quite a few more into that mix.

I'm glad they've stuck with Tony Mowbray as well, when I saw the reports towards the end of last season saying he was under pressure for his job, I nearly fell off my chair.

“I couldn't think of a more perfectly suited manager for the job with a young squad like that.

“He's the right coach to help mould and improve these players and he's someone that will encourage these younger players to express themselves.

“I would expect that they could definitely have another go this season.

“Last season it was a bonus, I don't think they were expected to challenge the top six, let alone get in the playoffs.

“Whereas this season I think there will be a little bit more expectation from the supporters maybe and from within to keep that momentum going.

“The key for Sunderland is getting Ross Stewart fit and keeping him motivated as well as keeping the likes of Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts firing on all cylinders around him.

“If they can do that, as a forward threat they'll cause a lot of defences some problems in the Championship.

“I would expect them to be in the top half and if you're in the top half in the Championship then you're never going to be a million miles away from a playoff spot.”

Many pundits are tipping Sunderland for another promotion push and a few tipsters even have the Black Cats as dark horses for automatic promotion.

Goodman, who still holds Sunderland close to his heart, is resisting the temptation to follow those lofty predictions, although he does feel his former club can mount a challenge – the strength of which depends upon one key condition.

“I won't let my heart win over my head here a little bit,” he said.

“I think the Championship will be deeper in quality this season which makes it more difficult for Sunderland to get in the playoffs again.

“But the key factor is Ross Stewart being fit, firing and motivated.

“I use the word motivated because if Ross Stewart is angling for a move and who could blame him if a Premier League club came knocking.

“I do believe a fully fit Ross Stewart can operate in the Premier League.

“He's an all-round striker, strong in all areas so I think he could adapt to the Premier League.

“That's why over the next few weeks we'll see if he's back to being fully fit and if he's back to where he was before the injuries.

“Finally, whether he's motivated to stay at Sunderland or whether he wants to get away.

“To me, if you were linked with clubs and wanted to get away then you need to play well and show the watching clubs what you're capable of.

“In theory, it should be a win-win situation for Sunderland, but it doesn't always work out like that.

“I expect Sunderland to be in the top half and possibly fighting for another playoff push.”

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