Sunderland lost their last five league games last season and then I watched them scrape past a much superior Coventry team and then Sheff. Utd. in the final and thought, I'm really pleased for them, but my God they're going to be so far out of their depth in the Prem. that Derby's low points record could well be in serious danger.
But they've gone and replaced virtually their whole squad, similar to what Forest did a few years ago, and made some very shrewd signings. All for a little over £100 million, net. To do all that in the space of a couple of months over the summer and end up with a squad capable of giving the likes of Arsenal as tough a game as they've had this season, is nothing short of incredible.
Genuinely hope they can carry it on. Things will obviously get tougher over the course of a full season. But see no reason why they cant comfortably stay up from the position they're in now.