Gus Poyet backs Tony Mowbray to lead Sunderland to Championship play-off challenge
Former Black Cats boss Poyet feels Tony Mowbray’s consistent approach is ideal for the club’s promotion
Former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has backed the Black Cats for another Championship play-off challenge this season – and says much of their success is down to Tony Mowbray’s leadership.
The Wearsiders surprised many to finish in the top six last season, losing to eventual play-off winners Luton Town in the semi-finals in their first campaign back in the second tier of English football. After a slow start, Sunderland are back among the leaders once again, with Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Cardiff a surprise blip after some impressive results
And Poyet, who led the Black Cats in the Premier League from 2013-15 believes Mowbray should take a lot of the credit for their success.
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“It’s been a good start to the season for Sunderland so far,” the 55-year-old Greece manager told safebettingsites.com. “But to be honest, it’s what I expected from a team managed by Tony Mowbray, who’s a very good manager. They have consistency under him – they know how they want to play.
“They are not the strongest team in the division, they are not the most technical or the quickest side either, and they do not possess the most expensive players in their squad compared to other clubs in the Championship, but they have a way of understanding how to play together on the pitch. And being able to do that brings with it consistency.
“So I think Sunderland under Tony Mowbray are going to be there or thereabouts this season in the Championship when it comes to pushing for promotion.”
Sunderland head to winless Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night looking to get back on track after that Cardiff setback. The defeat came after three consecutive Championship wins against Southampton, QPR and Blackburn, and Poyet feels it’s a game they should be winning if they are serious about a promotion challenge.
“The Sheffield Wednesday game on Friday night is the sort of game that Sunderland have to be looking to win if they want to finish in the top six again this season,” he added. “Without meaning any disrespect to Sheffield Wednesday, but they are bottom of the Championship and new to the division this season after being in League One last year.
“But I’m confident that Sunderland are going to be up for this one and can get the win, especially after losing at home to Cardiff last week, which was a disappointing result for them and one they’ll want to make amends for.”
