Phil Smith's League One predictions and how Sunderland will fare under Jack Ross

There is a renewed optimism around the club, a sense of re-engagement after two painful years.

There are some talented youngsters, some impressive summer signings, an bright young manager and even some bright new seats.

It feels as if the red and white army are ready to puff their chests out again in front of the TV cameras.

Nevertheless, there will be an element of trepidation in the coming days.

Are Sunderland ready?

By Stewart Donald’s own admission, they are probably ten days behind in the transfer market.

League One, too, is unfamiliar terrain.

Sunderland have enjoyed a good pre-season and those in the current squad look ready. But how will they match up to the rest of the league?

The clear headline is that before August 9th, at least two more additions in the forward areas are needed.

That is the clear deficiency in the squad when compared to the rest of the league and one that if the Black Cats have realistic plans of challenging, need to be addressed.

Elsewhere, they look relatively well stocked.

With a striker or two, and the return of Aiden McGeady and Duncan Watmore, their options in attack and particularly in the wide areas, look unrivalled.

The arrival of Luke O’Nien means central midfield looks an area where the Black Cats are strong.

Perhaps the one concern is that an injury to Dylan McGeouch would leave the team without a real playmaker, capable of controlling the tempo.

In defence, they are strong at full-back, even if mitigating for Reece James’ injury record.

At centre-back they will need to get a lot of game time out of Glenn Loovens, with the squad otherwise lacking a genuine stopper. In goal, they look in very safe hands.

With a good end to the window and they will look in genuinely good shape.

There are, however, some strong sides in the league and ones who will perhaps benefit from greater stability and continuity over the summer.

It is impossible to look past Barnsley as strong contenders.

Their manager, Daniel Stendel, is unproven at this level but they have kept a vibrant, resilient, talented squad together from last season. In Tom Bradshaw and Kieffer Moore they have arguably the best partnership in the league and Liam Lindsay ought to be playing at a higher level.

Burton, too, should benefit from a summer of stability and with Liam Boyce looking fit to fire, they will be strong over the long season.

Portsmouth have the goals of Brett Pitman and the impressive Kenny Jackett in charge.

There is expectation of a challenge from Luton Town, too, whose young manager Nathan Jones have previously been linked with the Sunderland job. Sides promoted from League Two have a habit of kicking on the following season, with no promoted team relegated in the last six seasons.

The likes of Plymouth, Oxford United and Peterborough United all look set to have strong starting XI’s if they can avoid a bad injury run.

Sunderland also, of course, have a manager unproven at this level and it will be particularly interesting to see how he deals with a number of notoriously volatile characters in the opposite dug-outs.

Steve Evans, the aforementioned Jones, Derek Adams and, of course, Joey Barton, are all natural headline makers.

Ross has dealt supremely well with all the challenges thrown at him this summer but he knows better than anyone that the hard work starts now.

Sunderland look well placed for their most enjoyable season in many a year, and should absolutely challenge at the top end of the table, but no one should be expecting it to be easy.