Regis Le Bris interview: Sunderland head coach analyses the key players in his team - such as Granit Xhaka, Robin Roefs, Dan Ballard and Brian Brobbey

It's February - and Sunderland are four points away from reaching 40 points. Premier League safety would be secured with a few months to spare - in a sensational case of rewriting history.

The last two seasons saw all three newly-promoted teams sent back down and it's not been a completely different story this time around.

Second-bottom Burnley look doomed after 16 games without a win, while Leeds are above the drop zone - but worryingly looking over their shoulders.

Sunderland are nowhere to be seen in that relegation fight - sitting in the top half of the table and are dreaming about Europe. This is a side that needed three late goals to get themselves through the Championship play-offs, let alone the best league in the world.