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

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I am in the Pilbara at the minute working up at 02:45 for match, watched full 90 but had to go to work so missed extra time.
My brother called me screaming so I knew we had won (he is in Coventry for work) have come back to digs and just watched highlights.
By the way my brother was celebrating the goal and was confronted by a disgruntled Cov fan, but other Cov fans shouted the guy down and congratulated my brother and the team.
Think it shows that there are still some good people out there.
 
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Dan Neil on dramatic play-off success against Coventry

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https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...nderlands-dramatic-play-off-success-coventry/

DAN Neil says both the "unbelievable" welcome Sunderland's fans gave the players at the Stadium of Light and the "incredible" scenes that followed Dan Ballard's dramatic winner against Coventry City will live with him forever.

After the 122nd minute winner to seal victory and a place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, emotional Neil, a boyhood Sunderland fan, said: "This is what you play football for and dream of growing up as a kid."

"I didn't know where to run when we scored," laughed Neil. "I started cramping up in the crowd when I jumped over the boards. To see how much it means to everyone associated with the club, the fans, the staff, for that to be the ending, it's just incredible. I knew it was going to be manic in the ground. I knew it was going to be a sell out. That didn't surprise me. Travelling into the ground was unbelievable. I've never experienced that before. I've seen it on TV with Liverpool and other clubs but to live it was just one of the best experiences I've ever had. Now we're going to need them [the fans] again. One more push to get the job done."

"To score in the last minute when it looked like everything was against us..." said the midfielder. "It felt like we got wrote off before the two legs as well, which makes it even sweeter. It felt like after the result during the season at their place, the record playing Coventry, it felt like we'd been wrote off and that lit a fire in our belly. And I think you could see that over the two legs, how we worked for each other, how we were so disciplined, how we stuck to the gameplan when the chips were down. That's what makes us an unbelievable squad. The motto is quite fitting, Til The End, and we certainly kept going until the end. The last 15 minutes of extra time was outstanding. We were fatigued mentally as well as physically but took the game by the scruff of the neck again. And big Dan Ballard popped up with a special moment."

"The belief we had in possession maybe took a slight hit over the last few games of the season. We know from the previous games at Coventry they press really well and didn't want to give anything stupid away. But the last 15 minutes we just said let's just go for it, get on the ball, make things happen, get the crowd behind us and we were excellent. We had to get to extra time because they had the momentum. Again, the character, a lot of teams could have folded. We got to extra time, where we were really good. The character of the squad, we've done it loads this season but this one tops the lot."
 

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just a few mesages from my work colleagues today-

"how the F are you in and working?"
"hows your head"
"my good I thought supporting Saints was stressful"
" are you ok"
"do you need coffee?"
"did you get any sleep last night"
"Frank doesnt know what he is saying, you lot deserve to Wembley"
 
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"We're not bitter, and congratulations to Sunderland, but we were the better team over the two football matches and that's why they'll be so happy going to Wembley."

No Frank, of course not Frank <laugh>

And btw, you cocaine sniffing weirdo, we’re not happy that we beat Coventry, you could be any club …

… we’re just happy because we’re going to Wembley by whatever means possible.
 
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Smug in Boots said:
"We're not bitter, and congratulations to Sunderland, but we were the better team over the two football matches and that's why they'll be so happy going to Wembley."

No Frank, of course not Frank <laugh>

And btw, you cocaine sniffing weirdo, we’re not happy that we beat Coventry, you could be any club …

… we’re just happy because we’re going to Wembley by whatever means possible.
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I don't often disagree with you mate....but,this time.....I'm really happy it was Coventry....****ing despicable club!
 
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Sunderland Til I Die created another generation of followers last night. Mine was the 73 cup final and when you start you cannot leave.

There are many ways to win a game of football and last night although stats might say different we got the job done with big men with big hearts finding energy and a way to win that Coventry did not. It has happened to us in the past.

Is today a day for analysing or just recovery, players and fans alike..

To beat Sheff Utd who we have outplayed twice this year, I hope we build on last night and make a few tweaks.

Patto

Back 4 have done a lot of defending with big Dan becoming superman. Can we get Trai & Dennis up the pitch more. Kiefer Moore will not scare us with pace so step up and try reduce balls into the box. Both Coventry goals, (cross & header) and certainly last night felt like the goal was coming. Coventry, also missed a great chance in 90th minute with Hadji Wright. We cannot keep depending on others to miss.
09 has as always give 100% and will start at Wembley, personally I think Mepham is the better option but that debate is for another day. I just hope if we go up, We buy Both Mepham & Enzo.

Jobe, Enzo, Dan,

Hopefully we can get our boys up the pitch and on the ball more. We only did this in extra time last night and we looked much better.
Everyone has been saying it, ENZO has to play centrally for two reasons.
1. He is comfortable on the ball and he will create chances#
2. He is uncomfortable continually tracking back to help Dennis with both Coventry goals coming down his side when perhaps due to tiredness he never got a tackle in to prevent cross.

Lets play to our strengths, and pick players in natural positions.

Wide men. I know we are all frustrated by Roberts but similarly to ENZO he has spent most of both Coventry games working back and has done a great job defensively. Mundle looked good last night but at that stage, we changed tactics and were going forward and perhaps Coventry were tiring.

Whatever the choice, Mundle, Watson, Roberts, encourage them to attack and lets not get over run in midfield.

Attack

Mayenda is the man and looks the more dangerous in comparison to Isidor. I do not think playing both was a great success as we just got outplayed and forced to defend. We should be more proactive and win the game on our terms.

We beat Coventry 2;1 on Friday mainly due to a lazy back pass. Great finish but a Coventry mistake
Last night, heart and desire and perhaps just the football Gods meant we were always going to win but the Hadji miss on 90 minutes was scary and one I hope we do not experience at Wembley.

We have the tools for the job. We have the fans, the players, the unity and its our turn. Reggie make yourself a hero , lets be brave. We will always love both players and managers who succeed or at time fail if they give 100% and do not leave us wondering what could of been.

This is our time, Now lets get the job done..
 
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Bucky1989 said:
just a few mesages from my work colleagues today-

"how the F are you in and working?"
"hows your head"
"my good I thought supporting Saints was stressful"
" are you ok"
"do you need coffee?"
"did you get any sleep last night"
"Frank doesnt know what he is saying, you lot deserve to Wembley"
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Last night was simply sensational, what an ending to the match.
I have to be completely honest here but I was incredibly disappointed with our approach to the game. I'm not a fan of the manager and his pragmatic, dull ways but that's a chat for another day.
 
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SAFCDRUM said:
Big shout out for Dan Neil. Whilst he covered ground his short and long passing was off. However, he grabbed the game in extra time and drove us forward, especially in the second half. Bravery to want the ball all of the time. Pushed to the last, corner and then bedlam.
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I was desperate for Jim to be subbed in normal time! Thought he was really poor, but he more than made up for it in extra time!
 
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