Seven reasons why Sunderland can be confident about their chances in the Championship

Lee Johnson does deserve a mention here, because he was the man in charge for most of the games. However, it was Neil who was in charge for the ones that really mattered.

The truth is that Sunderland were in full-blown collapse mode when Neil took over. They were haemorrhaging goals and losing games. A 6-0 defeat at Bolton cost Johnson his job and Sunderland lost the following two matches as well, to bottom club Doncaster and then Cheltenham.

It took Neil a few games to arrest that slide as he drew his debut at AFC Wimbledon before losing his first game at the Stadium of Light against MK Dons on February 19. That game remains the only match Neil has lost as Sunderland manager.

The higher the division, the harder it is to score. Players who can put the ball in the net regularly are rare, expensive and notoriously difficult to get. That, though, is a problem that Sunderland will not have.

His goals tally of 26 should be impressive enough, but what really stands Stewart apart is the variety of goals he is able to score. At 6ft 4in he is a powerful player in the air but also incredibly quick, making him a genuine threat in behind, and a good finisher with both feet.

Had Sunderland failed to get promoted, the vultures would have been circling and they would have likely been forced to cash in. However, now they go into the Championship with a ready-made goal-threat.

Alex Pritchard, for instance, has not only been a star at that level before but he's done it under Neil too. Patrick Roberts is another who has plenty of Championship, and even Champions League, experience.

The experienced duo of Corry Evans and Danny Batth offer a lot of Championship pedigree down the spine of the team too.

Neither Elliot Embleton or Denis Cirkin