It's been a rollercoaster ride for Sunderland back in the Premier League, and former striker Marco Gabbiadini believes the Black Cats could still be in the hunt for a European spot—even from 12th place. With just two games left, Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle that the fight in the middle of the table is fierce, but a couple of wins could change everything.

"A lot of teams are battling each other in this tight group, and nobody wants to give an inch. If we win the last two games, it could make a huge difference," he said.

Here's the context: next season, up to nine Premier League clubs could qualify for Europe—six in the Champions League, two in the Europa League, and one in the Conference League. That means even a mid-table finish might open the door.

But Gabbiadini also struck a note of caution. "It's still there as a carrot, but it's a bit disappointing. When we look back, we've just faded a little toward the end," he added.

Sunderland's return to the top flight after a six-year absence has been solid but unspectacular: 12 wins, 12 draws, and 12 losses from 36 matches. The squad depth, however, remains a concern. "The manager likes a small group, but once you go beyond that, we've got issues. He doesn't have three or four experienced Premier League strikers to choose from," Gabbiadini explained.

"We haven't got a Callum Wilson or a Harvey Barnes to bring off the bench—and if we did, they'd probably be starting. That's the difference between us and an established side."

Still, the former striker sees plenty to build on. "We've established a great foothold in the Premier League and made staying up look easy this season. The next step is scoring more goals."

For Sunderland fans, it's a season of progress—and maybe, just maybe, a late surge could make it even more memorable.