Football Manager 2017 is almost upon us!

The latest edition of one of the best football videogames will be released in the UK on Friday, November 4, and many fans up and down the country are excited to see what new features are on the game.

The trailer is out, and already some fans will be considering how best to take their team to the next level.

If it means promoting young players into the first team, or breaking your side’s transfer record on that popular name, the supporters will feel that they know what is best for their club at this present time.

However, some fans may look to test themselves on the 2017 version by embarking on several tricky challenges in a bid to prove their credentials as a Football Manager expert.

And, for Sunderland fans who have seen their side languishing near the bottom of the Premier League for years, these challenges could appeal to you.

So, here are THREE challenges Sunderland fans might attempt on the new game…

Stay in the Premier League

In reality, Sunderland have made a disastrous start to the Premier League, and currently sit bottom having won none of their first 10 matches.

This follows two seasons of hanging on to their top-flight status, but early indications suggest that this campaign may be one season too far for the Wearside club.

However, you are going to prove what an excellent manager you are by keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League. That’s easy, you may say, but there’s a twist.

You are not allowed to make any transfers over the course of the season – none in the summer, none in January. You have to stay up with the squad Sunderland have at the start of the game.

This will be a true test of any Football Manager player.

Outdo Newcastle

The rivalry between these two is almost unlike any other in England, and it’s a challenge Sunderland fans would surely relish.

Although Newcastle were relegated last season, it’s likely that, over the course of your five years in charge at the Stadium of Light, you will meet on numerous occasions, be it in the league or the cup.

Your challenge is quite simple. Beat Newcastle in every game you play against them, league and cup, and finish above them in every season you are in the same division.

Only then can Sunderland claim to be the best club in the North East.

Show top-flight ambition

Ever since Sunderland were promoted back to the Premier League in 2007, they have managed just one top-half finish.

Other than that, it has been relegation battles, with the Black Cats doing just enough to stay up every time. It strikes a similarity with Aston Villa’s plight; another team who also struggled year on year, and eventually it just caught up with them.

The same could be said of Sunderland this season, but under your stewardship, you are going to take the Black Cats to the next level.

In four seasons in charge, you will record at least three top-half finishes with Sunderland, and prove that they are more than just a relegation-threatened side.