Some say all games are created equal (3 points for a win and all that) but the reality is that for at least half of the Premier League there’s more to be gained by beating one of your fellow relegation battlers than by pulling off a shock victory over a Man City or an Arsenal.
A home win for Sunderland against Crystal Palace tomorrow, then another over West Brom a week later not only lifts the Black Cats half way up the league but it dumps their opponents in it at the same time. Come the end of the season, these are the games managers either 
look back on happily from their deck chair as they contemplate another year in the top flight or agonise over from their living room as they scan the situations vacant column.
David Moyes could do with getting some of his work done early this year and the next 8 days is a good time to start. The Sunderland faithful are only too aware of this.