"Maybe that has changed" - Exclusive: David Prutton issues Sunderland AFC play-off claim | OneFootball

The Black Cats have been secure in fourth spot for many weeks heading into the play-offs

David Prutton believes that the potential play-off battle will be "fairly even" although Sunderland may have to be "wary" of Sheffield United's motivation after missing out on automatic promotion.

The Black Cats have earned a second play-off berth within three seasons after achieving promotion back to the Championship in the same fashion against Wycombe Wanderers in May 2022.

Regis Le Bris' youthful side have been consigned to the end-of-season lottery for many weeks now, as Leeds United, Burnley and the Blades raced away from the Wearside outfit in recent months after it initially looked like a four-way battle for automatic promotion could have been on the cards.

Momentum is so often a key factor in determining who can hold their nerve in the play-offs, and this is something which the Frenchman's side don't hold much of, currently winless in five games, whilst only emerging victorious in four of their last 13 outings.

However, their place has never been in jeopardy, such has been the competitiveness and inconsistency shown by the majority of sides vying for the final two spots in the post-season promotion mixer, as they are currently 13 points behind Chris Wilder's side in third and nine points in front of Bristol City in fifth, although the Robins' involvement in the semi-finals isn't yet secure.

David Prutton issues Sunderland play-off prediction involving Sheffield United warning

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton believes that Sunderland's season should be looked back on with a sense of positivity after falling as low as 16th last term.

The likes of Jobe Bellingham, Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor and Trai Hume, among others, have earned plenty of recognition for their performances, regardless of the recent dip in form which has seen Le Bris experiment with an array of lineups and formations, although the former Leeds United midfielder believes this is something the club somewhat earned the right to do.

"They've had a very long time, haven't they, to look at what the play-offs could look like, given the wonderful work that they'd done, getting ahead of the curve," he began.

"We could look at their recent form. Yes, potential concerns with how they need to hit (momentum) into the play-offs. But, let's not forget the tremendous job Regis Le Bris has done with a very young squad and going up against some proper Championship big-hitters.

"First and foremost, let's keep it positive. Well done with that," Prutton added. "Secondly, it's about being able to hold their nerve and perform on these days.

"We saw a couple of years ago, it was something that they couldn't manage. However, maybe that has changed, maybe that experience from a club point of view stands them in better stead," the pundit explained.

"Could I see them winning the play-offs? I think Sheffield United will really have the bit between their teeth and will attempt to do it by hook or by crook and the other teams in it need to be wary.

"However, barring some last-day shenanigans and momentum that sees a team crashing into the play-offs, I think it's fairly even across the board," Prutton concluded.

Sunderland have to pick themselves up ahead of the play-off semi-finals

The job which Le Bris has done at the Stadium of Light this term cannot be understated, and we have seen managers in previous seasons experiment with their sides heading into the play-offs, so it is understandable why this isn't perhaps as much a concern for Prutton as some others have made out.

However, a lack of wins and goals heading into the season-defining period is a worry, especially with their top scorer, Isidor, failing to hit the back of the net in his past 12 appearances heading into the last game of the regular season against Queens Park Rangers.

Even though the encounter has no permutations riding on it, Sunderland couldn't have picked a better opponent to restore momentum against, with negativity and uncertainty clouding over the West Londoners in recent days as Marti Cifuentes has been placed on gardening leave.

The Black Cats will also look to channel extra motivation heading into the play-offs, having won just one of their six regular-season encounters against the sides who currently sit either side of them in the table, which came against Sheffield United back on New Year's Day.