Lee Johnson has discussed his confidence in the Sunderland team to consolidate a place in the Sky Bet League One play-offs this weekend as we take on Plymouth Argyle.
Saturday’s long trip to Devon represents a chance to rubber-stamp an opportunity to earn promotion following the end of the regular league campaign.
“We’re still confident that we can end the season successfully,” the Head Coach said.
“I’m partly anxious and partly very excited about the prospect of the play-offs – any anxiety is because it’s not secured yet and we have to use Saturday to make sure we do that.
“Of course, I’m disappointed with results of late, because I believe so much in this group of players. I was disappointed with Tuesday because it was another even game that we came out of in a negative way – it was frustrating.”
Johnson went on to admit that he is very unhappy with recent league results, but again maintained that should we get ourselves over the line on Saturday at Home Park, the squad would head into the play-off competition fully refreshed.
“My short-term concern is high; my long-term concern is zero. I’m very confident that if we secure the play-offs and then have that time to rest and work, we’ll come out of the traps like a greyhound.
“It would give us the ability to get round pegs back in round holes with players hopefully coming back, and then the challenge is to try and get those guys at their peak performance having had a few weeks out.
“I’m very positive about the prospect as I’ve said, but I’d be lying if I said I was happy at the moment.”
The Black Cats are currently without a win since Good Friday’s 3-1 victory over Oxford United – another potential top-six candidate – and Johnson assessed the possible reasons and solutions to ending the frustrating run.
“I think there are a number of factors that go into any slump. I think there has been some misfortune when we’ve played well – either failing to capitalise or individual errors costing us.
“It’s a whirlwind with the number of games we’ve played, the contract situations can understandably play on one or two people’s minds, players effectively learning new positions… but we’ve got what we’ve got. We’re not going to drown players in their weaknesses, but rather coach their strengths to become super-strengths.
“We want to strike that balance where we’ve got a clean sheet in us, but that we’re still bold going forward.”
Finally, the gaffer claimed the support of the Wearside faithful would have been huge throughout the year, and affirmed that the ‘rallying call’ to everyone connected with Sunderland must wait until after our job of securing the play-offs is complete.
“First of all, what I would say to the fans is that we miss them. They would’ve been huge at so many points this season had they been able to be in the stadiums. An example was the big push towards the end of the Blackpool game on Tuesday.
“I can completely understand their anxieties as well, but all I can do is try and convey positive vibes going into what we hope is a play-off campaign.
“The big rallying call can come after we’ve secured that place, and I will always fancy us. We have to focus on Plymouth and secure our place in the top six.”