Sunderland AFC news: Pundit tells Cats not to panic as Kevin Phillips delivers verdict on play-off chances

Sunderland suffered a third straight loss against Blackpool yesterday afternoon to all but end the Black Cats’ automatic promotion hopes.
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And Sunderland have not won since Good Friday when they defeated 10-man Oxford United at the Stadium of Light.

Here, though, we take you through all of the latest news and talk from around the division that you may have missed:

Pundit makes Sunderland claim following loss to Tangerines

Kevin Phillips of Sunderland during the FA Carling Premiership match against Derby played at Pride Park in Derby, England. Sunderland won the game 5-0.Kevin Phillips of Sunderland during the FA Carling Premiership match against Derby played at Pride Park in Derby, England. Sunderland won the game 5-0.
Kevin Phillips of Sunderland during the FA Carling Premiership match against Derby played at Pride Park in Derby, England. Sunderland won the game 5-0.
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Georg Elek has urged Sunderland fans to not panic about third loss in a row and their streaky form as the Black Cats lost 1-0 to Blackpool.

“It’s three losses in a row now for Sunderland,” the pundit said to Quest.

"It’s important that Sunderland fans don’t think too much about their streaky leaking and don’t make it a self-fulfilling prophecy, because they weren’t too bad today.”

Kevin Phillips delivers promotion verdict and talks play-offs

Former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips has delivered his verdict on Sunderland’s play-off chances.

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“The play-offs are a lottery,” Phillips told Football Insider.

“The big thing for Sunderland is, psychologically, will this blip damage them? They got into such a good position and at one point they had the chance to go top of the league.

“If they weren’t to go up automatically, psychologically, it is a big blow.

“You may have to play the team that gets into the play-offs in sixth and the team that finishes there usually comes in on a roll.

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“It is concerning and with the history of Sunderland in the play-offs it is far from ideal.”

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