But this is a new team. You can 't say because 'in the past few years'. Every season is different. And 14 points behind SU means that even though that Sunderland team are young and exciting they are also nowhere near good enough. Go up and they will be next season's Southampton.Sorry but Sheff U is a yo-yo team and offers nothing to the Prem.
We've seen them get promoted and relegated several times in the past few years. It's boring football with same manager again.
Sunderland have a young and exciting team and the Tyne-Wear derby is one of the biggest derbies in England. I'd rather watch that over Newcastle Vs Sheff U.