This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...
Sunderland have plenty of work to do if they're to stand any chance of securing automatic promotion this term.
The Black Cats have been firmly in the race for a top two finish but have suffered a real lapse in form over recent fixtures with the club losing matches against Charlton Athletic, Wigan Athletic and Blackpool in successive matches.
As a result the club are now eight points from the automatic promotion places with the prospect of facing first-place Hull City on Tuesday evening.
But with just five matches remaining do Sunderland have any chance of going up automatically, and do they need to beat the Tigers to do so?
The team at FLW have their say...
Jordan Rushworth
Johnson has already indicated that he feels the Black Cats are heading for the play-offs now following their loss at Blackpool. However, there might still be a little bit of hope left for them if they can secure a win against Hull City on Tuesday night.
The Black Cats will likely have to win every single one of their remaining games if they are to have a chance of securing a top-two finish. If Sunderland can win against Hull they will close the gap on the Tigers to eight points and still have a game in hand.
That suggests that there is still a chance they could put pressure on Hull and see what happens and if they can cope with the feeling that Sunderland are still chasing them down. There is still a chance that they could even catch Peterborough as well if they drop some points.
However, even if they do beat Hull it is still going to be a massive challenge for them to make the top-two and it is looking far more likely that they will have to contest the play-offs.
George Harbey
It would be some statement of intent.
Sunderland still have that game in hand and they are only eight points off the automatic promotion places as things stand.
You have to think of the mental impact it could have if you go and beat the league leaders away from home, and it could give them a massive lift.
They have a good squad and plenty of players champing at the bit, but it’s important that they don’t get too hung up and down if they don’t go up automatically.
I’d certainly fancy their chances in the play-offs.
Toby Wilding