Sunderland entertain in-form Blackpool tonight at the Stadium of Light.
The Seasiders have been playing well of late and head to the North East on the back of a five-game unbeaten run. The Black Cats have only been beaten in the league twice all season and are themselves on an unbeaten run stretching back to December, but five draws in their last seven games as seen their push for automatic promotion falter.
Addressing the issue Sunderland boss Jack Ross was honest about his team’s inability to finish teams off after taking the lead. Speaking via the club’s official website, Ross said “We have gone ahead in a lot of games and not won – we have not scored the second goal in a lot of games.’’
“Irrespective of the level of football you are playing at, when there’s only one goal in the game there is always the opportunity for the opposition to get back into it.”
Sunderland now have a run of three home games, and Ross was confident the familiar surroundings would help his team rediscover their ruthless streak in what has been a frustrating time. He said “And what we do have tomorrow and Friday is two home games here where we have an opportunity to climb the table in our own hands because, Doncaster excepted, no-one else is playing at the top of the league.’’
Will Grigg looks set to make his home debut tonight after his deadline day move from Wigan Athletic, but he will not find it easy against a Blackpool side who showed that they have little respect for league position, beating Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park recently.
Our View
Sunderland is a massive club that need to get promoted this season. The incredible form of Luton means it is looking increasingly likely that Sunderland will be in a dogfight for the second automatic position. With the upheaval of the Maja move and the signing of Grigg behind them, they need to start converting draws into wins.
Terry McPhillips at Blackpool deserves an enormous amount of credit for keeping his players focused during a time of massive off the field problems. After an indifferent start, they are no made of sterner stuff, and I expect Ross to have once again to settle for a point in what should be an intriguing match at the Stadium of Light.
