Sunderland were always expected to do well this season.

They're a huge club in a division that is alien to them and with the talent and means at their disposal, to be outside the top two would be criminal.

That doesn't mean the title is a gimme though. They still needed to shed the excess baggage of Ndong and Djilobodji, shape the players they had into a cohesive side and add the right faces and attitudes to the squad.

They did just that, making wise acquisitions and finally reaping the rewards of their excellent academy. players who have been unable to impact them on their descent have suddenly stepped up and made a name for themselves.

Promotion is a must, silverware preferable and every is out to beat them as they represent a cup final of sorts. Wycombe won't find trips to Accrington, Rochdale or Gillingham particularly inspiring, but the Stadium of Light? It makes them the team everyone wants to beat.

Few will though and there's plenty of reasons why, come May, Sunderland will win the title. Here's five.

Their stadium is one reason they'll be champions. If they keep winning and the fans get behind them, it will become an even more intimidating place to visit.

Some might raise their game, but playing in front of 30,000 is very different to playing in from of 10,000 or fewer.

Many teams will wilt under the pressure and be rolled over, much like Southend were recently.

Baldwin has been superb since coming in from Peterborough and he represented just the right type of player to bring in.

He knew the level, had played well here before but had the desire and ability to raise his game further.

Alongside both Loovens and Flanagan he's been excellent.

The Premier League quality still runs through the club, be it the youngsters emerging or the likes of Lee Cattermole and Aiden McGeady.

They're a League One side, but less than two years ago they were Premier League and that is still part of their make-up. That's not arrogance on their part, merely a reflection of the club's size.

Most of the young players joined when Sunderland were a top flight club and that makes them a cut above the other youngsters emerging in the division.

That's not just Josh Maja, he's been brilliant, but Jack Bainbridge, Jack Diamond, Bali Mumba and a host of others.

These players would doubtless get first team action at 75% of the other clubs in League One and yet at Sunderland, they're back up.

That bank of three behind the striker will be pivotal to the title charge. They have an approach which blocks opposition sides in and keeps them under pressure.

The players they have to fill the roles is frightening. Lynden Gooch has been excellent all season, Aiden McGeady is better than this level, Chris Maguire understands League One and George Honeyman is turning into a real talent. There's four who can play in the three roles.

What of Max Power? Where will Jerome Sinclair fit in when Wyke is fit? Dylan McGeouch?

Frightening.