After securing Premier League safety against Everton on Wednesday, Sunderland can relax at Watford on Sunday knowing there is little to play for. The Black Cats are fixed in 17th place – they cannot overtake Bournemouth and Newcastle, Norwich and Aston Villa’s relegations are already confirmed.
As a result, Sam Allardyce has confirmed that he intends to play some of the under-21 players to see if they are capable of performing to the Premier League standard. Jordan Pickford and Duncan Watmore have already made the step up to the senior team this season and are likely to start at Vicarage Road.
Some of the out of favour squad players are likely to be given a run out too, whilst veteran Wes Brown could captain the team ahead of what will surely be his final game in a Sunderland shirt – and quite possibly his career.
Once the full-time whistle goes at Vicarage Road, the Sunderland supporters can finally call an end to what has been another difficult season. For once, they have reasons to be optimistic ahead of next season.
