Robbie Stockdale was delighted by his side’s effort and endeavour this afternoon at the Stadium of Light.
Handing no fewer than three debuts to Luke Molyneux, Denver Hume and 16-year-old Bali Mumba against the Sky Bet Championship champions Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockdale’s side raced out of the traps and into a deserved lead.
Ovie Ejaria touched home Will Norris’ spill before Ashley Fletcher doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time.
Paddy McNair then kept up his fine form and stabbed home his fifth goal of the season to make it 3-0 in the second 45 as the lads rounded off their campaign with a victory on Wearside.
Speaking to safc.com, Stockdale hailed the lads’ display.
“I spoke in the week about what it should mean to play today and to a man they followed the instructions we gave them.
“It isn’t going to paper over the cracks of the season that we’ve had but I asked them to finish it in the right manner and I think we did that.
“We need the fans and we want to make them happy. There was a good atmosphere in the ground today and the fans fed off the performance and the players did the same the other way.
“There will be a lot of change at this club for sure. Hopefully things can turn around and we can start moving in the right direction again.
“I asked the players before they went out if someone was coming to watch for the first time today, whether it be the oldest one in John O’Shea or the youngest in Bali Mumba, what impression do you want to leave them with?
“I think everyone went away with positive thoughts of our lads today.”