Jack Ross has been talking up his side's promotion chances as they face a chance to register a sixth straight victory against struggling Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
The Black Cats are the form side in League One and have closed the gap at the top to just three points with a game in hand.
They have a superior goal difference too, giving them the upper hand in the title race.
The Black Cats travel to Home Park this weekend to face Derek Adams' Pilgrims as they look to pull themselves away from the bottom of the table.
With three clean sheets on the spin as well, Ross could be forgiven for thinking his side are performing to their best, but he argues that might not be the case.
“People seem to say we haven’t hit top form yet – I think you can argue for and against that,” he told the Chronicle Live. “We haven’t battered anyone yet, but that’s maybe in line with expectations that when we came into this division it would be straight-forward."
League One is far from straightforward, yet despite the current run of form, Ross believes there's more to come from his side.
“We see now it’s not easy to win games and in terms of pulling it all together for a complete 90-minute period, then I would say probably not. But we have still had enough to be happy with and if we continue the results, then if there is improvement to come, that will stand us in good stead too.”
Sunderland will not be in league action for two weeks after the weekend, with the FA Cup first round looming large next Saturday.
The Verdict
The frightening thing is that Sunderland are not yet at their best. There's so much talent to come back into the squad, Charlie Wyke and Max Power the two main players currently absent. Glenn Loovens has been out too, meaning they're getting better without key players.
They should be at the top given their status, but you have to play and earn the right to be promoted, it doesn't happen just because you're a big club.
They've done that and if they keep on going they'll be lifting silverware in May.
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