Michael Appleton verdict on why Sunderland draw so many games and reveals his plan to 'prey’ on under-pressure Cats

Michael Appleton has called on his Lincoln City players to ‘prey’ on the intense pressure facing Sunderland to win promotion this season.
The Sunderland squad celebrate a goal in the 2-1 win over MK Dons.The Sunderland squad celebrate a goal in the 2-1 win over MK Dons.
The Sunderland squad celebrate a goal in the 2-1 win over MK Dons.

The two sides meet at Sincil Bank Saturday with the Black Cats aiming to build on the 2-1 victory over MK Dons last time out.

It was a welcome return to winning ways for Jack Ross following the disappointing draws with Rotherham United and Bolton Wanderers.

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Sunderland failed to win promotion last season partly down to the high volume of draws, while this season the Black Cats have already drawn four out of ten games 1-1.

Ahead of the game, Appleton said: "I think some of their draws since they've been in League One has been down to the pressure that they're under at times.

"Whether you go behind in a game or you're chasing it, with the quality that they have in their squad they've always got a goal in them.

"I think sometimes when they do go ahead in games, which is natural because they're human beings, there's a tendency to drop a little bit deeper and to back off expecting the opposition to come at them.

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"By doing that you can find yourself in a situation where the pressure builds and you end up conceding.

"I said after the United game the other night we've got to prey on that expectation that they're under.

"They're a side that's expected to go up automatically we've just got to make sure that we apply the pressure at the right times,” he told Lincolnshire Live.

Appleton is expecting a difficult afternoon and has highlighted several dangermen in the Sunderland ranks.

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He added: "They've got some very good individuals whether that be from a defensive situation with [Jordan] Willis or an attacking point of view.

"[Charlie] Wyke gives them something different and there's some decent players behind him.

"One that I'm very aware of in Chris Maguire who I've signed a few times in my career.

"They'll have different threats throughout the game and will bring great support.

"We'll have fantastic support which will bode well for a great game."