Ahead of the final day of EFL Championship action I was hoping that Luton Town would be matched with Coventry City, in the semi-final.
Regular visitors to Vital Luton Town will know that the one side I didn’t want to face was Millwall, because of what has gone on previously and also, I felt the two sides were very similar and we could be forced into a penalty shoot-out, in other words more of a lottery than usual for the play-offs.
I also didn’t fancy West Bromwich Albion who played us off the park in the fixture, at Kenilworth Road, earlier this season, when they beat us 3-2.
But, with results going in their favour, it is Sunderland who we will face.
Sunderland, last season, came up from League One, to the Championship, via the play-offs and will be confident of repeating that feat, it is up to us to demolish those dreams.
Following the 0-0 draw, with Hull City, on Bank Holiday Monday, talking to the local BBC, our gaffer, Rob Edwards, had this to say about facing Sunderland:
“Sunderland will be a difficult game, I think whoever it was is going to be difficult. A big stadium, a big football club – Tony Mowbray has done really well there.”
“We played there relatively recently which I think helps. They’re good going forward, risk-free. They’ll go for it and we’ll have to make sure we defend really well and make the most of any chances we can and make sure we are well in the tie coming back here on Tuesday night.”
I can’t disagree with any of that, but we need to be focussed, we need to silence the crowd and, like Rob says, make sure it is still all to play for back at Kenilworth Road in the semi-final second leg.
COYH’s
Sunderland v Luton Town - Play-Off First Leg?
Sunderland to Win!
Luton Town to Win!
A Draw!
Previous article by Mad Hatter
Luton – And So It Is Sunderland In The Play-Off Semi Final
Morning mh, seen a lot of noise coming from macems players about how they’ve been to Wembley an expect to go there again. Just hope we all keep quiet and let them get on with it.then gloat after.Its a dish best served cold !!!
well said chris. the feeling i get from sunderland is like scared rabbits caught in a cars headlights. they are so negative, no positivity at all. let the players do the talking, with the vocal support of the fans. COYH.
All I’m hoping for is a strong referee who’s not guna be intimidated by 46000 mackems!!! We all know what happened a few months ago
Word going round is sonny Bradley has left the club an won’t be coming back. Suspect it’s personal issues.
First two comments……one says that we (Sunderland) are expecting to win, the other that there is just negativity 😀 Think that shows commenter’s own prejudices or feelings rather than those of Sunderland players or fans.
We know that Luton are a tough test and have been in play offs two years running for a reason. We are also hampered because are missing three centre halves plus long-term injuries to Stewart, etc. No one expects it to be easy but are optimistic if we play well. If not, then good luck to whoever does win the play offs. We have had most enjoyable season in 20 years already. Anything else is a bonus.
I see Sunderland an easier fixture than Coventry as they are the better team – I see it being a Luton Boro final and that could go either way!
spargle, my feelings came from negative comments made by your manager. check some other web sites. if this is your most enjoyable season in 20 years, why don’t more people say so???. lets hope your supporters are cheering your team, and waving there flat caps about. COYH.