Football League World
·17 May 2022
Football League World
·17 May 2022
Sunderland travel to Wembley this weekend for their second play-off final in two years as they prepare to face Wycombe Wanderers for a place in the Championship.
Sunderland performed well across two legs against Sheffield Wednesday so see themselves get through to the final.
Their performances were characterised by tenacity and fight. However, Wycombe proved to be hard opponents also as they fought off MK Dons for their place in the final.
Therefore, this game is sure to be a close encounter providing neither side gets overwhelmed by the occasion of the day out at Wembley.
Former Sunderland defender Nedum Onuoha has provided his thoughts on what Sunderland need to prepare for on Saturday as he told Sportsmole: “I’ve only played at Wembley one [for QPR]. After we beat Wigan in the play-off semi-final in 2014, I remember feeling real excitement as I was holding the banner saying we’re going to Wembley. You realise that not everybody gets the chance to do that.
“When you’re getting ready for the game and you arrive, you understand the context of the game in terms of going into the next division. But then also, I’ve spoken with some of my fiends like Joleon Lescott and he said, it’s only even a great day if you win. You understand the importance of it because to be at Wembley and lose is awful, I’ve heard it is literally awful because there’s nothing worth celebrating.
“There’s the hope of something being at the end of it because you don’t play there for nothing, you’re not going to play out a draw, there has to be a result on the day and it has significant meaning to it, which is why it’s being played at Wembley.
“This is a one-off, this is the opportunity and you can’t do anything that either players into the opposition’s hands or plays into not being at your absolutely best for that occasion.”
Onuoha played on loan with the Black Cats back in the 2010/11 season when his side finished 20th in the league.
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The Verdict:
The warning from Onuoha to both teams about the feeling of the occasion at Wembley is something both teams definitely need to keep in mind as they travel to the capital this weekend.
Either team has the ability to win and that is the only way to play at Wembley since it’s an all or nothing game in the play-off final.
Sunderland will be going to the game hoping to be in their best mindset and form so they can return to the Championship after an extended break away.
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