Sunderland host Luton Town in the first leg of the Sky bet Championship Play-Offs at the Stadium of Light.
Ahead of the Hatters’ clash, Head Coach Tony Mowbray discussed the main talking points surrounding Saturday evening’s highly anticipated clash on Wearside.
What do you make of Luton heading into the first leg?
“I think it’s going to be a tight game. They’re 14 unbeaten and we’ve gone nine unbeaten, five draws and four wins.
“The Stadium of Light will be bouncing. We’ve got to try and create an environment which is uncomfortable for Luton and sometimes coming into a big environment it can help some teams.
“We aren’t talking about a team of shrinking violets - they’re a very robust, strong, physical team.
“They finished 11 points in front of us so they’ll come with a level of confidence.
“It’s sometimes easy to have a narrative of ‘little Luton’ but there they were in the Play-Offs last season. They have the experience of the Play-Offs, they’ll be disappointed they didn’t get through last year and they’ll be trying to put it right this year.”
With another packed-out Stadium of Light expected, do you think there’s an excitement within the fanbase?
“The fanbase have bought into this team of players that are going beyond what might have been expected and they’ve been so supportive of the team.
“It’s what football is about. You want the fans, you want your supporters to enjoy it.
“Since I’ve came to the Club, every single away game has been sold out. Everywhere you go whether it’s a huge 6,000 allocation behind one goal or a tiny allocation in a corner, it gets sold out.
“People pay hard-earned money should be entertained and they should enjoy going to the football. I hope they’ve enjoyed the games and even in games we’ve lost, I hope they’ve seen a team striving and trying to improve.
“As long as the supporters see a team that’s working hard, fighting and chasing you for the red and white shirt, it’s great and we will be trying our very best to reward the fans for their loyalty by winning a couple of games in the next few weeks.”
There has been adversity to overcome. It does feel like it’s brought everyone together and it seems to be a moment where there’s a real togetherness?
“There’s a feel-good factor at the Club at the moment.
“It only comes about through trying to put in hard work on the pitch and trying to find a way to win football matches.
“The players feel the warmth from the fanbase and they give even more if that’s possible.
“But we haven’t achieved anything yet.”