Stephen Elliott: Did promotion pressure prove too much for some Sunderland players in Charlton defeat?

The fact automatic promotion was firmly in the hands of Sunderland going into Saturday’s game, reflects very well on the squad and huge credit must be given to the staff and players.
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Even if the most optimistic of supporters had said the team would have been in this position at Christmas, then you would have questioned their sanity.

Lee Johnson’s men have shown that chasing down the top two positions has been a challenge that they have enthusiastically embraced.

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The team have impressively picked up important points, and it has been an enjoyable few months following the team.

Sunderland concede against Charlton at the Stadium of Light.Sunderland concede against Charlton at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland concede against Charlton at the Stadium of Light.

On Saturday though, Lee Johnson’s men found themselves in a position where there was a different kind of constraint on them.

Having the finishing line in sight, and promotion in your own hands, brings a totally different challenge and pressure.

That pressure, especially at the business end of the season, is one that only the mentally strong usually cope with. If you can’t deal with it then the result of all your previous hard work could become unravelled.

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Unfortunately, on Saturday, I felt that for one or two players in the team this showed. I must admit I was surprised that perhaps the reality of being in this position got the better of them.

Charlton came to the Stadium of Light in good form and they looked organised and competitive.

They had the look of a team that will find themselves in the play-offs come the end of the season. Their manager Nigel Adkins has really got them flowing and they are a team that not many would want to be playing at the minute.

Charlton and play-offs… let’s not, for now!

Don’t get me wrong, on another day Sunderland could have won the game had it not been for an outstanding display from Ben Amos in the Charlton goal. I thought the Addicks stopper was outstanding, making some saves that he had no right to make.

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While I do feel the reason Sunderland lost the game was down to some individual poor moments, both defensively and in attack, I don’t think it’s time to start analysing the mistakes and missed chances too in-depth as the players responsible will know themselves, more than anyone, that they must do better.

Considering the unbeaten run the team have been on it would be a little harsh to be over critical of the team or the manager.

However, there won’t be much more room for manoeuvring, if any perhaps, if automatic promotion is to be achieved this season.

I still believe there will be a slip-up at some stage by either Hull or Peterborough, as they will also be feeling that pressure, and I’ve no doubt the lads in the squad will believe this also.

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I’m hoping everyone will have learned a lesson from Saturday and will handle the pressure of being up there to be shot at, if the team do find themselves there again.

Because we have to go to Hull, destiny is just about still in Sunderland’s hands, and though our position is a lot weaker, I still think automatic promotion is truly achievable.

I do feel that Saturday was a minor set-back rather than a knockout blow and hopefully the team can get back to winning ways starting with Wigan.

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