Former Celtic and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has delivered a damning verdict on Sunderland, after a slow start for the Black Cats in the 2019/20 season.
Jack Ross' side drew 1-1 with Oxford United on the opening weekend and were held to the same scoreline yesterday against Ipswich Town, a side who, like Sunderland, are seen as leading contenders for the League One title.
Another season in the third-tier is far from what Sunderland fans were hoping for this year, following playoff heartbreak in May, but questions continue to be asked about the club's standing in the division in comparison to their overall status.
That view was once again reiterated by Sutton, who responded to a fan's call on Saturday night by issuing a strong verdict on the club.
"Sunderland, budget wise, should be right up there. They shouldn't be finding it hard. If I was a Sunderland fan, I'd be frustrated," he told BBC Radio 5Live.
"They're the most under-achieving club ever, aren't they?"
The Black Cats are thrown right into it over the course of the next 10 days with three matches, starting with the League Cup clash with Accrington Stanley before facing off against Portsmouth and Rochdale in the league.
