Pressure can take its toll on Cats stars – Bonner
Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner is hoping to dampen Sunderland's play-off hopes this weekend when the two sides do battle at the Stadium of Light.
And ahead of the game, Bonnerhasbeentalkingabout the expectation levels on playersplayingforaclubthesizeof Sunderland and whether the pressurecantakeitstollonthe players.
Cambridge have already beaten Ipswich and Wigan away this season and will look tomakeitahat-trickoftopclub scalps this weekend.
Sunderland are involved in an intense battle for a playoff place and have just three games remaining, Cambridge at home on Saturday before the final home game against Rotherham United on Tuesday and a trip to Morecambe on the final day.
Ahead of the game, Bonner said: “There’s no doubt that they’ve got real talent in their team, players that have moved for big money in the past, players that have scored a lot of goals, have just had very good careers, or have got the potential to have them.
“I think when you play at a club like Sunderland, we’ve seen it against a few teams, it’s a heavy shirt to wear, because theexpectationsaresobig,and therefore that can sometimes take its toll.
“I think in recent weeks they’re finding really good consistencyandformatatime whenyouneeditatthisstageof the season.
“It’s going to go to the wire, and I’m sure for them, this game’s a pivotal one, and one they look at and think ‘right, weneedthreepointsfromthis one, because this would set us upnicelyforthelastweekend’.
“If we can ruin a party and causeasurprise,ofcoursewe’d love to do that,” he added.