BARDO PRE FINAL

Former Sunderland player (and former Sheffield United loanee) Phil Bardsley has looked ahead to Sunderland's Championship play-off final and also looked back at some of the good times he had at the Stadium of Light. Bardo was speaking to SportsBoom.

PREMIER LEAGUE CLUB

“It would mean everything to get back into the Premier League, it’s the ‘Promised Land’ for them. It’s brilliant for them to be in the final, it was mammoth effort from them to win that game and get in the final. I thought Coventry were the better team over the two legs, they were a bit unfortunate. But it just goes to show the attitude and desire Sunderland had to get into the play-off final and, ultimately, the Premier League. For a club of that size and the support that they generate week-in, week-out, well they deserve to be in the Premier League.”

HIGHS AND LOWS

“They’ve obviously suffered over recent years, playing League One football and in the Championship trying to get promoted, so for them to get back into the Premier League would be like the good old days when I was there. We had some good times when I was there. Roy Keane was manager, and he signed me in the January and we went on to have a good run at the Premier League, we had six and a half years in the topflight. Listen, we had some challenging seasons, but it’s like everyone in football – especially when you’ve not got the biggest of budgets – but the players we had, and the players we brought in over course of that spell – did a brilliant job."

TOGETHERNESS 

“More than anything the chemistry and the togetherness that it generated throughout was brilliant. There were different types of squads when I was there, but we always remained positive, and we always kept a good team spirit. That came from within, but also from the amazing fans who always used to show us their support.”

TIL THE END

“You go through challenges in a season, they went on a good run at the start of the season and then towards the end they tailed off a bit. Thankfully they did enough to get over the line and into the play-offs. It just shows the character of the group and the manager and what he demands. For them to beat a really good Coventry side, across two legs, was a big achievement. Coventry have done fantastic this season, they’ve kicked into form over the last few months, so to get a win like that can breed massive confidence. But look, the jobs not done. They’ve got a tricky game against Sheffield United. However, it’s a game that if they show their commitment and desire, they’ve shown over the two semi-final legs, well there’s no reason why they can’t win that game.”