Graeme Souness sends Sunderland player advice after ‘Sleepless night’ before play-off final
Graeme Souness has delivered a message to the Sunderland and Sheffield United players ahead of their Championship play-off final.
The young Mackems have impressed for much of the Championship season, making it to the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday.
Despite finishing the season poorly, Regis Le Bris’ side ultimately found a way to win across two legs against Coventry, with Dan Ballard’s 122nd-minute header earning a spot in the final.
Although Sunderland fans are in high spirits ahead of the final, former Liverpool midfielder Souness has sent a warning to their players ahead of the game.
Sunderland players issued advice ahead of high pressure final
Souness is used to big games at Wembley Stadium, having assisted the only goal during Liverpool’s European Cup win against FC Bruges in 1978.
Ahead of the Mackems’ high-pressure play-off final, Souness wrote in the Daily Mail Sport (24 May, pg 5): “Sunderland and Sheffield United players will have endured a sleepless night yesterday.
“The team that manages to win the Championship play-off final will be the one that best handles the enormity of the situation and the pressure of playing at Wembley Stadium.
“My advice to those players today is don’t let the occasion get to you and let the game pass you by.
“Go out of that dressing room with the attitude of ‘I’m going to be the best player on the pitch today’, and see what it brings you.”
Sunderland’s play-off final opponents, Sheffield United, finished 14 points ahead of the Stadium of Light outfit, with the pressure completely on them.
Four losses in April proved costly for the Blades, who face a squad rebuild in the summer regardless of whether they are promoted.
Play-off final defeat could leave Sunderland in turmoil
Defeat in the play-off final could have a huge knock-on effect for the Mackems ahead of the summer transfer window.
Midfielders Chris Rigg and Dan Neil have been subject to transfer interest from elsewhere, with Jobe Bellingham the most likely to leave.
Enquiries for the first pair are expected to heat up if the Mackems fail to be promoted.
However, Sunderland fans will be hoping that the momentum from their Coventry win will give them the belief that they can win at Wembley.
Promotion to the Premier League could leave the Black Cats excited for the summer, rather than dreading losing key assets.
Leeds failed last season, and ultimately lost Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray, with their following success likely a lesson, no matter what the outcome for the Mackems.
A huge summer is ahead, either way, let’s just hope it’s with promotion.