Since the ascension of Ricky Sbragia to manager in November, Sunderland AFC has maintained their position just below mid-table. Neither rising or falling, the team looks poised to keep themselves in the Premier League.

As the team has struggled along, both in the front office and on the pitch, they have been within sight of both the bottom and the euro places for most of the season. 

The Black Cats are looking to establish themselves as fixtures in the league, and to do that they need help on all fronts.

At present the team in 13th place sits five points above the drop zone and three points from eighth place.

Looking at their remaining games they have three huge home games against Everton, Manchester United, and Chelsea. These are games that the team should have no problem getting ready for, but will have to work hard to have a chance. 

The Chelsea game may be the most troubling as it is the final game of the season.  Sbragia will be hoping that game will not be one that clinches their survival. 

The rest of their games are against teams around them in the standings and all teams they can defeat. The late draw with Tottenham was a troubling event, as it kept them within touch of the bottom and they need to get elevation.

The manager told the Sunderland Echo that the team needs to get above 41 points to be safe and sound. At 32 points with 10 games left, they can do that.

The big concern for the team, however, is looking at the record so far against all these teams, as they have only two wins and one draw. 

For Sunderland fans, it will be a tight time for sure.