Sunderland have struggled to pick up points in the Premier League recently

Don Goodman has claimed that the “realisation” Sunderland will be in the Premier League next season may have contributed to the club’s recent dip in form.

The Black Cats were hotly tipped to be relegated this term, but have instead surpassed most expectations of them by playing their way into a comfortable mid-table spot with just 11 games of the campaign remaining.

Nevertheless, there has been a notable slowing of momentum on Wearside of late, with Regis Le Bris’ side currently on a run of just two wins in their past seven top flight outings following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Fulham.

And while survival is still not mathematically secured just yet, ex-Sunderland man Goodman is of the opinion that his former club are now “99.99%” assured of their Premier League status next season - and that reaching such a sturdy position may also be a factor in their recent downturn in fortunes.

What has Don Goodman said about Sunderland’s recent form amid Premier League survival claim?

Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, Goodman explained: “I think the realisation has dawned on them that they're going to be a Premier League team again next season. They were always going to suffer a little dip at some point. You couldn't possibly maintain the level of form they’d displayed.

“The fact that we got to February before they'd lost a game at home is incredible. If somebody had asked the question, ‘Who's going to be the last team to lose at home in the Premier League?’, would anybody in their right mind have said Sunderland? It's just been a magnificent season.

“The raw emotion of doing so well and the realisation that they are 99.9% guaranteed to be a Premier League team next season may have been a factor in one or two disappointing games. It's been an incredible, brilliant season. Everybody would have had them down to go straight back down when they won the play-offs last May.

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“Credit the club, credit the recruitment department, because I think the recruitment has been sensational. Not just [Granit] Xhaka - Xhaka has been amazing, but some of the players that none of us had really heard of that they've brought in have slotted in seamlessly and done the business for them. They deserve nothing but praise and they'll be thrilled with the season that they've had.”

From the outset, Sunderland head coach Le Bris has maintained that his target for the season is to reach 40 points - a tally that the Black Cats would meet with a win and a draw from their remaining fixtures. Next up for his side is an away trip to Bournemouth on Saturday, followed by a clash with Leeds United at Elland Road next Tuesday evening.

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