Former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson believes that following an impressive start to the Championship campaign, the challenge for the Black Cats will be to sustain those performance levels in the winter months.
After the disappointment of last season, the Championship giants under their new manager Regis Le Bris have made a positive start to the season.
They are currently placed second in the table behind West Brom and have accumulated 15 points from a possible 18.
Stressing the stature of the club, Johnson, a former Sunderland manager insisted that the need is for such a club to be in the Premier League.
However, Johnson has picked the busy winter period as the time when they will need to sustain their performance levels.
On the tough journey Sunderland have made so far, Johnson told the BBC: “I do feel a part of that journey, I am not stalking claim to them being top of the Championship
“But, yes, great club, really good club and should be in the Premier League wants to be in the Premier League, need to be in the Premier League.
“And will get there because naturally, the size of that place will end up shifting the club to the Premier League.
“[They have a] young squad and have made a fantastic start which you often see with young squads.
“I think their challenge will be in the winter months to be able to sustain that performance level.
“But they look like they have got agility, they look like they have got an identity and a playing style which is good.
“A lot of those lads have been together from the League One days as well.
“So, the thing you know about Sunderland is when you get momentum they are really powerful and if you get a negative shift in momentum we know that can be difficult if you like to get over because it’s such a passionate fanbase.
“I think that while it is all going well they are a really powerful beast.”
Sunderland struggled last season following the sacking of Tony Mowbray and appointment of Michael Beale, and the Black Cats will hope Le Bris can continue his promising start.
