Dan Neil on Sunderland’s Sheffield United play-off final
Sheffield United stands between the Black Cats and a return to the top flight on Saturday after Ballard’s last-minute header in extra time in the second leg of their matchup with Coventry in the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final sent the Stadium of Light into a frenzy and Regis Le Bris’ team to headquarters.
While that moment will be remembered for a long time by the home supporters who saw it, Neil saw it as only a prelude to a greater reward.
It feels a little odd to have been a part of one of those occasions that people will talk about for a very long time, he added. We’ve all agreed that we must finish the task, even though it’s an incredible moment.
“We would rather be remembered for persevering and returning to the Premier League than just for Dan Ballard’s header.”
Neil personally has unresolved issues this season, just as Sunderland as a team has.
The Black Cats were rebuilding after a four-season decline from the Premier League to League One, and the 23-year-old midfielder was one of several Academy graduates given an opportunity.
He was denied the opportunity to make amends two seasons ago when Luton ended their dreams in the semi-finals, and he did not enter the game from the bench on the day they defeated Wycombe in the play-off final in May 2022 to regain their place in the Championship.
Neil now wants to help put an end to the Wearsiders’ eight-year ban from England’s top level in order to drive out all those ghosts.
He stated: “I was obviously thrilled to be a member of the team and contribute throughout the year, as well as to have won promotion out of League One.”
“I lost my spot in the squad toward the conclusion of the season, and I’ve been thinking about not playing at Wembley ever since.
“I was on the team when we played Luton two years ago, and I had the opportunity to visit Wembley. That’s another reason I was ecstatic when we defeated Coventry.”
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