A 3-1 victory at home to Plymouth casts up happy memories. My teenage debut saw the same opposition lose by the same scoreline.

That season would conclude with play-offs and, albeit fortuitously, promotion thanks to Swindon Town's financial chicanery.

The chances of a repeat are still exceptionally difficult to conclude. The first-half on Saturday was scrappy, the Plymouth rear guard not overly taxed and the sides separated at the break through what was a wonderfully composed finish from Plymouth front man Ryan Hardie.

Sunderland would restart proceedings with much greater tempo, threat and, in a fifteen minute period, overwhelm the away side - with Jack being Jack and Jobe being Jude. It was encouraging but against better sides it won't always be an option to simply turn it on as easily as we change sides.

We are now beyond the two-thirds stage. Fifteen games remain, they will determine whether the players’ holiday plans are put on hold and, presently, it is difficult to assess whether the Metropolitan Police will have to consider overtime around Trafalgar Square in late May.

The outstanding fixtures offer both promise and pessimism. The remaining seven home games, Leicester apart, are games to be won.

The scheduled season will conclude with Sheffield Wednesday coming to the Stadium of Light and with a strong possibility of their fate having already being determined then it would be accepted by all if three points against the Owls would give entry to the four team finale.

Away from home is much more difficult to engender hope. Huddersfield and Birmingham will provide a stern test in the short term, both involved in trying to ensure they can consolidate their Championship status. It is after that, and the remaining six games, certainly five, on the road that look daunting.

Southampton, Leeds, West Brom, Norwich and Watford are positioned to advance their own promotion pursuit but equally, have found some form after earlier difficulties.

The three relegated sides from last season's Premier League have began to look a cut above the rest and, again as things stand, it would seem probable that the side that misses out on automatic promotion would start the play offs as strong favourites to make an immediate return. Sunderland against Leeds at Wembley anyone?

Last season Sunderland, in finishing sixth, amassed 69 points. To do likewise would necessitate 22 more points. Seven wins and and a draw, or some alternative pathway that cedes the same total, is doable but it may take greater in game consistency as well as nerve to overcome the increasing pressures.

There is, of course, no guarantees that replicating the tally of last season will suffice and, to that end, it may require one or two victories around the country to ensure a play off position. In the two seasons before it was 77 and 75 points that represented the tally of the sides finishing sixth.

What seems certain, however, is that the Stadium of Light will have to witness a sequence of successes for one of the coveted positions to be secured.

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Whilst the victories over Stoke and Plymouth were not plain sailing, what is of greater encouragement is the distribution of goals and a possibly more pragmatic and defensive approach from away sides.

Yes, it worked for Hull recently but I suspect Michael Beale would feel a psychological battle has been won pre-match if the set-up from away sides state they can only get something through caution and a conservative strategy.

The direction of traffic almost from the outset does not guarantee goals but what it tends to do is ensure a favourable reaction from the stands and it is essential that the players, many of whom are still in the embryonic stages of their respective careers, can have every advantage possible.

All to play for...