Burton draw sends Black Cats second - do you feel confident we can hold onto an automatic spot?

After this past weekend’s win over Rochdale, we asked our readers where they thought Jack Ross’ Sunderland side would finish come season’s end.

The answers were pretty erratic if truth be told, and people argued anywhere from fourth to first for a host of different reasons.

Below is a rundown of a few opinions found across our platforms, but after last night’s draw at home to Burton moved the Lads into second place still with a game in hand, have you changed your mind?

Cast a vote in the poll below, and don’t forget to send us your opinions for a follow-up article later this week!

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2nd place, with a secret desire to see Luton stumble a few more times before the season is out. Hopefully we will win at least 6 of the remaining games, especially the one against Portsmouth!

- Alex Westthorp

Alex thinks second place is a decent shout, but hints that should Luton’s form dip then Sunderland have a chance to potentially clinch the title. Darren, on the other hand, says he’d be happy with automatic promotion, but a failure to secure the title should be looked at unfavourably - do you agree?

Anything other than top should be looked on as a failure. But I’ll be happy with second.

- Darren J Coulson

Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Twitter

With that fixture list I think we’re going to drop some points along the way, so much depends on what others do. Portsmouth are more of a threat than Barnsley now so the game against them will be key. I think we’ll make second. Luton would have to collapse for us to get to first.

- Ian Chester (@Ianc1102)

Over on Twitter, Ian looked into his crystal ball and noted ahead of the Burton game that he believed Sunderland would drop a few more points this season. Is he right in suggesting that the Pompey game will potentially define our season? Paul also predicted a draw somewhere in our remaining fixtures, but also thinks there’ll be another. Can we go undefeated for the remainder of the season, and would that secure promotion?

I see 5 wins and 2 draws from last 7 games. The draws are Pompey and Posh. 96 points and promoted at Fleetwood.

- Paul Summerside (@summerside49)

Roker Report Website

I think we will finish 2nd because Luton are 8 points ahead and still playing well.

It’s in our hands and we can now drop 4 points and still finish 2nd. But if we beat Portsmouth then Barnsley become the closest threat and we can afford to lose one and draw one and still finish above them, even if they win their last 5 games – which looks possible.

Almost every team in the league is fighting for something at the moment and any team can beat any team so I don’t think the league position of the opposition is that important when comparing run ins

The depth in our squad, which has been demonstrated recently, really should make the difference.

One question – do we need to rotate/rest a CB or two?

- XYZ321

XYZ321’s question about our central defenders is certainly a relevant one after last night’s rocky showing. Again, the Portsmouth game was highlighted as a somewhat cathartic moment - do you agree?

It is tricky and much will depend on things like injuries and player discipline. I fancy Luton who lost one of their key players to a sending off on Saturday to drop a few points. So we might be gainers ad finish top which will be great. But our run in is not going to be easy... Coventry, Burton (who stuffed us early in the season), Donny and Pompey are much better teams than we encountered in the last two games. Fleetwood will be wound up by Barton and Peterborough are no Mugs, Win 5 of them and we will get prom WIN 6 and we will be top.

- Mordey st

Mordey st’s note on injuries was also showing off his clairvoyant skills. His note on injuries was indeed an issue last night as Dylan McGeouch limped off while Aiden McGeady and Lee Cattermole failed to make the match squad. Do you agree with his other predictions, though?

Remember, send us your thoughts on Social Media or via the comments section of the article! We’ll be featuring a selection of fan reactions in a follow-up article later this week.