Alex Neil issues 'crucial' Sunderland promotion claim as Jobe Bellingham praises Millwall

Millwall were dealt a blow on Saturday in their bid to sneak into the playoffs, losing to a team that is all-but certain to land a top six spot in Sunderland. Trai Hume opened the scoring within 20 minutes, and the Lions failed to recover, only managing two shots on target all afternoon.

It was a less than ideal performance from Alex Neil’s men, and while Sunderland are a very good team, they do have a number of injury issues, and these are the teams Millwall need to at least be threatening if they want to be a playoff team.

Speaking to the Sunderland Echo Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham said: “I thought in the first half we started really well, we probably didn't control the game as well as we can do, but then in the second half we improved massively on that and we really controlled it in and out of possession I'd say. It's good to get back to winning ways.

“It's something we work on and it's something we do discuss in meetings about the teams who do succeed in this league. You've got to score a certain amount of set pieces. If we want to be successful, we've got to score with a variation of goals and we're starting to do that.”

Praising Millwall, he added: “They're a really tough opposition and you know they are going to be that whenever you face them, no matter what season. They've got that identity where they're really tough to beat, hard to break down. Thankfully we scored early, which opened the game up for us and allowed us to control the game and do what we're good at.”

Neil on Sunderland

Neil won promotion with Sunderland from League One, and with his promotion success at Norwich City, he should have a good idea of what a team that is good enough wo secure ascent looks like.

Asked after the game if Sunderland fit that profile, Neil said: “I think that at the moment you've probably got the three main teams that are running away with it, if you like. But I think Sunderland are where they are on merit. I think that offensively they're very, very good. They've got some really good individuals and I think that those individuals can win you any game that you play in. Because they're capable of skipping past somebody and putting one in the far corner, which I'm sure you guys have seen a lot this season. You've got a striker that scores you goals, which you always need.

“And I think you've got a really good core and spine. So yeah, it'll be a competition for anybody in the play-offs. It'll just be on the day. I think every squad needs an element of experience. I don't think you need loads of experience. I just think you need enough know-how to make sure you can get through some vital games. And those guys are crucial. As well as developing younger players, which this club has been great at.”

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