Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Sheffield United – Championship Play-off Final - Saturday 24th May 2025 - KO 15:00

RLB:
Trying to keep to a normal routine, part training and days off
We are focused on our team, we are ready
It will be different, but we are exactly where we want to be
We have shown discipline and an identity, the desire and will to win is there
The strongest quality of this group is their mindset, they stay connected
We deserve this fixture, the connection and path of the players is good, they are mature
Sheff U - they are strong, we won't have an easy game we will have to break something to get to the PL
VAR - we have discussed defending the box
Injuries? - Everyone is available - we shall see
The players enjoyed the celebrations, but the season is not finished, we stay focused it was not that different to other times during the season
The weaknesses and improvements have been identified and resolved
If we win, the future is another chapter, we have to focus on the next game, the team the club are connected to this idea
We have options now, it was an opportunity to grow so you have to work and this can be useful later.
After tomorrows session we will decide on the starting 11
It was a long season, the festive period was tough, it was important to react after the defeat to Stoke
It's useful to analyse previous games but it will be different, we have to adapt in real-time
It will be a great experience at Wembley, I am always absorbed in the game to deliver the best version of Sunderland
We have to keep to a routine to deliver our game plan
The semi-finals were really tense and a good experience for a young team
The team is really balanced - I am not worried

 

Right, logging off at work in an hour then its bag packed ready for the off tomorrow morning.
I reckon it will be a tight game I think we will sit in and try and keep it tight and frustrate them and hopefully pick them off on the break. Would prefer to be on the front foot but cant see RLB changing his tactics now. I am going for a nervy 2-1 win and a celebration that will stick long in the memory afterwards.

 

Regis said "we'll see" when asked about injuries... good lad

 

Poveda Hopefully he doesn’t travel. Garbage.

 

I thought he said Poveda, what a bizarre name to ask about haha. Nothing about Mundle, maybe a club request? Probs just my conspiracy hat on.

 

Good stuff. Mundle on the bench then

 

Great option to bring on

 

Are we ready for the Prem? Probably not but there's only one way to find out. Finishing 4th off bottom is success in my opinion. Start building the 2nd season.
My only concern is if we were to lose which and how many players would we lose?
However I think the belief in the players mental strength to win will see us through.
For all of you down there tomorrow I hope you have the best day/weekend of your lives.
Behave and make London luv us. I already know the bars will

 

Still early but the weather forecast for Wembley is not looking great

 

I love his subtle digs at the media, etc, clever man ...

... 'The players enjoyed the celebrations ... it was not that different to other times during the season.'

 

It's quite funny being 'insulted' by fans as childish and bitter as this lot

https://www.skybluestalk.co.uk/threads/scumberland-or-****efield.168955/

 

How bad is that Keith Downie man? Questions about how our players will manage in the Premier League. Le Bris was brilliant refusing to talk about anything other than the game on Saturday and how we remain focussed on that.

 

Exactly mate, idiotic and lazy in equal measure.

 

Half expected him to ask if there's any point getting promoted

 

Nobody is ever ready, that's what you'd hope the transfer windows are for

 

Agree with that Gil, go up and lose a lot of games some heavily possibly. Don't go up and lose some of our best players.
I'll choose the former.

 

If we were good enough to stay up we'd be in the top two now ...

... the summer window is critical these days, especially when you've come up from the third division.

BTW, would coming from relegation to the third division and promoted to the PL make it a 'fairytale' like it is with Luton, Ipswich, etc.

 

Since Sunderland were relegated from the Premier League in 2017:

Seasons spent in the Premier League:
Sunderland: 0
Sheffield United: 3

Seasons spend in League 1:
Sunderland: 4
Sheffield United: 0

Average League position in English football pyramid:
Sunderland: 41st
Sheffield United: 21st

Net spend on transfers:
Sunderland: £45m profit
Sheffield United: £103m loss

 

bit of a tearjerker this, had to share it