Sunderland

THE PLAN It feels surreal for fans to consider it, but the plan is to build on a first major trophy win in 56 years by launching a legitimate challenge for the Premier League title and qualifying for

THE PLAN To avoid the complete catastrophe of 2023-24, when Burnley were in the relegation zone for the entire season and averaged half a point per game until mid-March. Vincent Kompany replaced most

THE PLAN After Brentford’s play-off final loss to Fulham in 2020, boss Thomas Frank tried to rally a dejected club. “You feel the pain,” he said, “but tomorrow the sun will rise again.” The Bees duste

THE PLAN Brighton secured their second-best top-flight finish last season (8th), but missing out on Europe was still a disappointment. The experience should do head coach Fabian Hurzeler and his youth

THE PLAN Let’s try that again. Challenged to give West Ham fans something new, Julen Lopetegui certainly delivered as he spent huge sums in making the team older, slower and worse in both boxes, filli

Rarely have two points been such cause for celebration. Come the end of the 2015-16 Premier League campaign, that was all that would separate Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland, in 17th, from relegated rivals