Sunderland must overcome unwanted 40-year record if promotion is to be achieved
Sunderland’s final day of the regular season couldn’t have gone much worse for several reasons.
Ultimately, Sunderland achieved what they set out to do at the start of the campaign by finishing inside the top six, though their early-season success seemed to actually hinder their performances over the last few weeks.
With the playoffs now just five days away, Sunderland are entering them with negative momentum, having lost their last five and failed to win in their last six.
The final day defeat to QPR at the Stadium of Light provided even more concern for their promotion aspirations, and even more so when it was confirmed that they would be playing against Coventry City.
Coventry will be favourites v Sunderland
If you asked any Sunderland fan who the one team they would want to avoid in the playoffs would be, it would undoubtedly be Coventry, but thanks to their final-day win against Middlesbrough, that’s who will await the Black Cats in the semi-finals.
This season alone, Sunderland have failed to beat Coventry, but their last win against the Sky Blues came a remarkable 18 years ago, despite the fact that there have been 10 encounters since.
| Head-to-head | W | D | L |
| Sunderland | 12 | 18 | 18 |
| Coventry | 18 | 18 | 12 |
It doesn’t end there, though, with Sunderland winless away to Coventry in over 40 years, and if playoff success is going to be achieved, that may need to change to give the Black Cats an advantage for the reverse fixture.
Based on current form, which is the worst of any side in the Championship, it’s hard to see Sunderland doing anything over the next few weeks, but as showcased earlier in the season, they have the ability to beat anyone.
Le Bris needs to get his side focused ahead of Coventry clash
Whether it’s complacency or a fear of getting injured, recent displays have been nowhere near good enough, and everyone at the Stadium of Light will be aware of that.
However, a good team doesn’t turn bad overnight, and Le Bris needs to get his side back to playing at their best, and quickly.
Coventry are a dangerous side with players that can hurt you, and unless Sunderland improve, the two-legged affair could be all but over before the Sky Blues even make the trip to Wearside.