Ahead of the massive home tie against Sheffield Wednesday, tipped to be in front of at least 40k red and white fans, we spoke to ALS regular Stuart Rayner from the Yorkshire Post who generously gave us yet another preview.
At the start of the season, did you expect Wednesday to be in the position they’re in?
At the start of pre-season I probably expected them to be in or just outside the play-offs because for all their stature and recent Championship experience, Sunderland are proof of what a hard division League One is to get out of - perhaps actually harder for the so-called "big" clubs. I must admit, though, the transfers they made in August did make me wonder if they were going to have a better season than I expected before reality and injuries kicked in.
Darren Moore still seems to be splitting opinion at Hillsborough. What are your thoughts on the gaffer?
I think his calm steadiness is just what is needed at a club where such a big and passionate fanbase produces extremes of highs and lows (sound familiar?). His habit of tinkering with who plays and where can be infuriating at times and it is surprising someone who was such a dominant centre-back in his day has not been able to get to grips with their set-piece defending at times, but Wednesday have got better as the season goes on and that points to good coaching rather than the quick-fix of good transfer dealing. I think he is a good manager and the Owls are benefiting from not panicking and sacking him in the first half of the season as they often would have done in the recent past, and maybe Sunderland would have.
Barry Bannan is one of the best players to play in League One. Is there a fitness update on him for tomorrow?
From a purely journalistic point of view, one of the frustrations about Darren Moore is he gives very little away, and given how badly his squad has been hit by injuries all season, it has been a constant theme. But to be honest, I think any manager in the country would want to keep the opposition guessing in this sort of situation so whilst we'll be asking, I don't expect Thursday afternoon's press conference to shed much light on that. I expect Alex Neil's right and he will play. As to whether he'll be fit, we'll see.
Who’s your main danger man going into the playoffs?
Your last question has answered that but Lee Gregory is a real threat too. As a centre-forward with an eye for goal, he makes such a difference to this team and his grounded approach has been important too. Eight goals in the last eight games of the season, including a crucial hat-trick at Fleetwood Town, show a man responding to the pressure in just the right way.
Both sets of away fans have been allocated just 2,000 tickets, what are your thoughts on this?
I think it's a pity. In an ideal world both games could probably do with being played at even bigger grounds, such is the demand for tickets. Something has to give somewhere, I suppose, but I think we all know away fans contribute so much to atmospheres so it would be nice to see - or rather hear - more at each game but I suppose this way more people get to be at one of the games, as opposed to missing out so others can go twice.
You finished strongly, with a 4-1 win against Pompey. Surely that’ll put you in good stead for the semi-finals?
Yes, and coming from 2-1 down to beat Fleetwood in the game before was important for momentum and confidence too, as well as being a reminder not to take anything for granted. I think what is so exciting about this semi-final is that both teams go into it in good form. Wednesday have gone up a notch since January and Neil has clearly had a positive effect since he bedded in at Sunderland.
What’s your prediction for each leg?
The two league games were such extreme opposites it's hard to know what we will get in terms of results but I expect two really tense games played in atmospheres which really add to the occasion. Both clubs - not so much teams, because they finished fourth and fifth - will believe they should not be in the third tier, and with good cause.
With the support they'll have, I think you'd fancy both teams to win their home leg if they score first and have the crowd behind them but it could be tough if they go behind and the inevitable anxiety in the stands creeps in.
I'm really not sure but I wouldn't be amazed if we had two home wins and a penalty shoot-out at Hillsborough. Then toss a coin.
Who do you see going on to win the whole playoffs and earn promotion to the Championship?
The temptation is to see this as the final before the final and tip the winners to go up but we know League One has nothing to do with reputations and is there a danger they want it too badly? I expect League One to be harder still next season.
Milton Keynes Dons finished above them both for a reason and Scott Twine's heroics on the final day will stand them in good stead for the play-offs too. At least from Sunderland's point of view if they can get there, they finally shifted their Wembley paranoia with the Football League Trophy win but if I was a fan going into any of this season's play-offs I would be hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
I think that means the furthest I'm prepared to get off the fence is by saying not Wycombe, so get your money on them!
