Following their “unbelievable” victory over Coventry in the play-off semi-final, Sunderland skipper Dan Neil will captain his boyhood team at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.
The Black Cats’ 2019 League One play-off final loss to Charlton, in which Patrick Bauer scored in extra time to send the Addicks up, was replicated by Dan Ballard’s last-minute triumph.
Neil told BBC Radio Newcastle, “I was up in the stands with my dad back then, so I wasn’t exactly in the squad.”
“It was gutting watching that and seeing all the Sunderland players fall to the ground after all the hard work they put in that year.
“For the roles reversed this year, it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. Hopefully another one coming soon.”
The midfielder praised the mentality of his team-mates to keep going until the end.
“It was unbelievable,” he added. “I think that just shows the character of the squad. The motto is quite fitting, ’til the end. We certainly kept going ’til the end.
“I thought the last 15 minutes of extra time was outstanding. Tired legs. Fatigued mentally as well as physically because they had a lot of the ball again but we took the game by the scruff of the neck a little bit in the last 15 and we actually created some decent chances and kept the ball a little bit better and big Dan Ballard pops up with a special moment.”
Now one win away from returning to the Premier League after eight years out of the top flight, Neil takes confidence from the last part of the semi-final.
“I think that last 15 minutes shows that when we’re on it and when we believe in ourselves, when we trust each other, we can cut through teams,” he stated.
“We need to bring that attitude and spirit, supported by all of the fans who came to Wembley again and were truly amazing today, to Wembley so that we can defeat teams in possession. One final, significant push.
