I’d rather play Coventry personally. Not that I think it really matters as it’s a cup final essentially and anything can happen
Boro the bettr team imo up to now. On 1st half hour showing I would prefer to get Coventry in final assuming we get past the kickers on Tuesday.
I would think the EFL/FA will want a SAFC v Boro final. Purely for greed. Luton v The pointy nosed cheating b*stards team would generate a crowd of about 30000 or 40000.
Not counting chickens or anything but I agree with you. Middlesbrough score an awful lot of goals, Akpom and Archer are a dual threat. Given the squad we have at the minute, there's a chance that their full backs (2 of their better players) might pin back Clarke/Roberts if they're playing in wing back positions. Coventry are a good team with 2 players (Gyokeres, Hamer) who are top quality, but many of their other players are workman-like and they set up to play on the transition. I think we'd create enough against them and then it's just all about taking our chances.
I just think Boro are more ready for it than Coventry are. And they have more “big game” players. If coventry don’t go up it’s a complete rebuild for them. So the pressure on them in a playoff final is going to be insane. Their fans see this as their last chance for a while. We see it as our first chance
Fwiw if we don’t win our semi then I want Boro to win theirs. Of the three from a pure Sunderland perspective I would want Boro to go up as I think they’re only going to be stronger next season; whereas both Coventry and Luton could easily fall right down the league. Fewer clubs on an upward trajectory the better.
Watching the game it’s interesting the lack of intensity and pressing both teams sitting off a bit Think that comes from having a potent outlet up front. Thats a big problem we have teams press us knowing we don’t have an outlet. Compared to yesterday this game is cagey as hell Boro the better team Coventry don’t look a great team but v dangerous up front
