DADI’S DROP WARNING TO THE ROYALS

Twelve months ago Sunderland were playing Manchester United and Chelsea. In August they will battle with Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood.

Official attendances this year have been claimed to be 25,000. But club sources say only around 14,000 supporters have actually been through the gates.

Sunderland will enter the FA Cup in the first round, not the third round. It starts in November, and they will have to win two games for a crack at the big boys. SHEFFIELD WED READING 3 0 JON DADI BODVARSSON explained why Reading are still in danger of the drop after flopping at Hillsborough.

The Royals remain five points ahead of third-bottom Barnsley after two goals from Fernando Forestieri (above) and one from George Boyd won it for the Owls.

Barnsley have a game in hand though and Bodvarsson knows more of the same from Reading at home to Ipswich next week could leave Paul Clement’s side with work to do in their final-day visit to promotion-chasing Cardiff.

“It’s just not good enough to lose 3-0 away from home,” said the Iceland striker. “We’re much, much better than what we showed.

“We weren’t good enough collectively – our togetherness is our strength as a team.

“We need to be better in the final third and punish them more, take our chances and respond when we concede goals.”

Reading were 3-0 down by the time Tyler Blackett was sent off for kicking out at Owls sub Atdhe Nuhiu and Wednesday were safe enough by then to give 19-year-old midfielder Connor Kirby his debut for the final 13 minutes.

He said: “It was the best moment of my life so far.

“It’s a thrill to play in front of so many fans and I hope to get many more chances.

“I was buzzing. The fans are always behind the players, win, lose or draw, so it was great to come on so people can see who you are and it gave me confidence when I was on the ball.”