SUNDERLAND HAS BECOME GRANIT CITY OF HOPE

Big spending boosts belief on Wearside

- By Ian Murtagh

EIGHT signings, transfer record smashed and £130million-plus invested on a new-look squad.

Former Bank Of England club Sunderland are well and truly back among the big spenders.

Yet the chasm between Premier League and Championship means the Black Cats are probably facing a battle to ensure their first topflight season in nine years is not a one-off.

Such is life for promoted clubs, particularly playoff winners.

Like Sunderland, Leeds and Burnley have splashed the cash, but the bookies have already written off the three of them as relegation fodder.

History tells us they may be right. Last season's promoted clubs went down with barely a whimper.

It was the same 12 months earlier, with only Luton putting up a fight - and they are now in League One.