Sunderland AFC news RECAP: Blackpool fallout plus Lee Johnson press conference ahead of Plymouth Argyle trip
and live on Freeview channel 276
With two games remaining the Wearsiders still aren’t guaranteed a play-off place but were helped by the likes of Charlton and Portsmouth conceding late goals in Tuesday’s fixtures.
Blackpool’s Sullay Kaikai scored the only goal of the game as The Tangerines claimed all three points to boost their top-six hopes.
Catch up with all of today’s Black Cats news here.
Sunderland AFC news RECAP (April 28)
Key Events
- Sunderland have gone seven games without a win following last night’s 1-0 defeat by Blackpool.
- The Black Cats dropped to fourth in the table and still aren’t guaranteed a play-off place.
- Lee Johnson’s side were helped by other results as Charlton and Portsmouth dropped points.
- Sunderland are now preparing for Saturday’s trip to Plymouth.
Blackpool boss on Sunderland win
Here’s what Blackpool boss Neil Critchley made of last night’s game.
“We changed the shape of the team,” he said.
“There were some personnel changes as well and the way the players executed the plan was top, top drawer.
“In the first-half we had control of the game which we wanted because we thought at home they usually control the game. That change helped.”
Lee Johnson press conference
Lee Johnson will be holding his pre-match press conference at 12:30pm today ahead of Saturday’s game against Plymouth.
We’ll have live updates on today’s blog.
Injury latest
It was confirmed before last night’s game that Dion Sanderson will miss the rest of the season with a back injury.
Fellow defenders Arbenit Xhemajli and Jordan Willis remain sidelined, while Conor McLaughlin and Tom Flanagan also missed last night’s game.
It is hoped McLauglin and Flanagan could return before the end of the regular season.
“If all goes well, I would expect Conor McLaughlin to be in and about the build-up to the Northampton game,” said Johnson.
“With Flanno, you might be chasing it if you had him available for that game – but he might be, and we might have to chase it depending on circumstances over the next couple of games.”
Late goals elsewhere help Sunderland
Sunderland’s play-off position would have been a lot more precarious if Portsmouth and Charlton hadn’t conceded late goals last night.
Both sides were winning in stoppage-time but let in late equalisers to draw with Accrington Stanley and Crewe respectively.
What the table looks like
Here’s what the top of the League One table looks like after last night’s results.
Sunderland still aren’t guaranteed a play-off place but would be if they win one of their remaining games.
Peterborough could still be caught by Lincoln so haven’t quite sealed automatic promotion.
