Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Coventry City – Play-off Semi Final 2nd leg Tuesday 13th May 2025 - KO 20:00

Lampard is a reasonable coach, and has done canny this season, though he did have a good squad to work with.

But, over two legs, his team was predictable. Almost all the crosses, nearly eighty of them over two games, coming from too deep and after too much dithering. Meat and drink to good defenders, and we have those.

From memory, their right back got to the line twice and delivered two great crosses, getting our defenders facing our own keeper. No defender likes that. Goals came from both of them.

Mr Lampard might want to consider that bare fact before indulging in any more self pity and self justification.

 

Dan Neil hails importance of Chris Mepham



https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25166220.dan-neil-hails-sunderland-importance-chris-mepham/

DAN Neil has hailed Chris Mepham as Sunderland's unsung hero and says the Bournemouth loanee deserves immense credit for his hugely important role on and off the pitch this season - and how he reacted to losing his place (to Ballard) in the team for the play-offs....

"For me, Dan Ballard, when he's fit, is one of if not the best centre-half in this league," said Neil. "He's strong, quick, powerful, he organises, he's good on the ball. He's an outstanding centre-back, we've seen that over the last two legs.
"But I have to give big credit to Chris Mepham as well. He's been outstanding this season on and off the pitch. Off the pitch he's brought the squad together like you wouldn't believe. Not many people would know that and it's obviously gut-wrenching for him to be taken out in such big games but he's handled it so well.

"He's stuck by the lads, he's given us all his advice because he's played in games like this. We've said this in the changing room a lot, it's not just about the starting XI, it's about the subs, the lads not in the squad, the staff, everyone plays a huge part. Chris Mepham is the biggest example of that."

Mepham's future is unclear as he nears the end of his season-long loan with Sunderland. His Bournemouth contract is due to expire this summer but the Cherries are thought to have the option of extending the deal by 12 months. Regardless of what happens moving forward, Neil says Mepham has played a starring role this season, on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"He's just an unbelievable character," said the midfielder. "He's funny, he gets on with everyone, he does quiz nights on away games, he plays card games. It's little things like that but you don't realise how much that brings the lads together. Since he's come in he's been outstanding on and off the pitch."

 

Don’t want to set anyone off..


But think I’ve found the best video

 

Posted before about our emphasis on characters and personalities on top of the youth side of recruitment. It has worked incredibly well. Some group of lads we’ve got wearing our badge.

 

Can I just say 1 word

MOMENTUM

 

Going tonight !

 

It looks a great night out

 

too late ya tw@t

I knew as soon as the music came on I’d be away

 

I know the SMB gets a bad rap at times. And at times deservedly so. But I was searching on there yesterday for any info on where the Krankie’s will be watching the game here in Perth.
Anyway, I came across this thread which shows just what an impact this game had on supporters. I’ve said it before but we really are a special club.

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/sunderland-a-club-that’s-help-save-my-life.1655306/

 

that lad, top center...he knew, he feckin knew

 

yeah its brilliant, makes poveda more baffling

 

That op, wow while it's got a positive it's heart wrenching reading and hope the bloke is getting the help he needs!

 

I was going to say we could of had that atmosphere before but some prick missed the penalty, so we’ll never know.

 

Cheers for posting this mate. Hope the lad can get the help he needs and start moving in a good direction.

The SMB does get a bad rap but there's a large kernel of really solid people on there.

 

Whilst tending to agree it would be interesting to see the points totals from when Lampard took over. As much as I hate Coventry (maybe not so much now that we have gained partial revenge) Lampard has done a decent job with them.

 

Absolutely pathetic timing of his jump. Should have been a much easier, cleaner header .

 

So did Coventry's no. 3.

The smile on that young kids face man, just brilliant.

 

I hope this isnt true. If it is what a c*nt. Got the tkts as he is a Club Wembley member. Has apparently already sold 10.

 

Was at a SAFC and NUFC charity dinner thing years ago, guest speakers were Super Kev, Micky Gray, Lee Clark and Micky Quinn. Biggest dickhead and most anti-SAFC out of them all was Gray. Can't stand him.