It's so easy to rewrite history. The higher platform that you refer to after Slade was the relegation zone. Slade rescued us the season before but was sacked in October for being back where he started. Poyet took us up to 11th in 5 months so is experienced in relegation battles now.
He then...
It's worth noting that quite a few of our ex players are tweeting their delight that Sunderland have gone through. I've noticed Alan Navarro, Matt Sparrow, Gary Dicker, Elliott Bennett and Steve Cook.