Power urging teammates to ‘embrace’ the season run-in
Max Power has urged Sunderland to embrace their League One run-in – as they look to take a big step towards promotion at Peterborough United in today’s big game in the division.
The Black Cats have gone 11 games unbeaten in the third tier and are now within touching distance of the top two, with games in hand over both of the sides above them.
Sunderland still have nine games to play before the end of the campaign – starting with this afternoon’s Easter Bank Holiday trip to second-placed Peterborough United.
While the pressure will no doubt be on as the side head to London Road in a fixture being televised live on Sky Sports, Power has played down the importance of any one game during the run-in.
And the midfielder – who won promotion from this division with Wigan Athletic in the 2017-18 season – believes he and his Sunderland teammates need to ‘embrace’ their final five games – starting at Peterborough.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it, but for me I don't feel as if it's any bigger game than what we've got in the run-in,” he said after the Oxford win and ahead of the clash with Darren Ferguson’s men.
"We've got nine real good games to look forward to.
“We'll certainly be going there to try and win the game and hopefully we put in a performance to go and do that.
“It doesn't need heightening, it's on Sky and it's two good teams in the division.
"I was injured when we played Peterborough earlier in the season and I watched from the stand, and they've got some really good players.
"Clarke-Harris, along with Charlie [Wyke], have been the two main men in the division this season, so I'm sure there will be some spotlight on that.
"But for me, we've got a real strong squad and everyone has got to bring something to the table now and embrace this run-in.”
Sunderland’s recent form has seen hopes of a return to the Championship rise, with several bookmakers now considering the Wearsiders as favourites for the League One title on the back of their impressive unbeaten run.
Optimism among supporters is high, too. The arrival of head coach Lee Johnson and Kyril LouisDreyfus’ takeover of the club have lifted spirits and many are now dreaming of promotion.
And Power believes that supporters should get excited given recent developments at the club – even if he will be trying to keep the squad level-headed during the closing games of the campaign.
"The fans should get excited, there should be an excitement,” said the Sunderland captain.
“We're on a run and now we're playing good football. We're on a great run.
"I've been at the other end of the table and I know what I'd rather be playing for.
“For us, and myself certainly as captain, I'll be trying to keep the dressing room level-headed. We can't control outside noise, but it's human nature to get excited.
“We're on the run-in and we're playing some good football and what pleased me most against Oxford was coming from behind.
"You can draw them quite easily or lose them. That was a good side we played against, so we put that one to bed and move on.”