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A league double over Middlesbrough could turbo charge Sunderland's promotion challenge
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01/30/2025 01:00 AM
Monday's trip to the Riverside is sure to be a nervy occasion, but it's also a hell of an opportunity for the Lads to send a message to their rivals, writes Phil West
As we reflected on another intriguing weekend of Championship action, a top four picture that remains reasonably neutral and the frustration of missing a trick against Plymouth in the wake of Monday's dull 0-0 draw between Burnley and Leeds United, the prospect of our latest trip down the A19 to lock horns with Middlesbrough is starting to hove into view.
Our third visit to the Riverside since returning to the Championship has far more riding on it than in previous seasons, but it's fair to say that we're stronger now than we were in 2022 and 2024.
Indeed, despite the irritation of letting two points slide against the Pilgrims, it's essential that we view this game for what it actually represents — an ideal opportunity to send another message to the teams around us and to show that setbacks aren't terminal.
Yes, letting a 2-1 lead slip against the division's basement side was a poor outcome.
Yes, it would be a godsend if we could make the final twenty minutes of games less nervy by playing with greater conviction and ruthlessness early on, but a televised Monday night clash with Michael Carrick's side feels like the kind of challenge that the Lads will relish, not least after what's happened during recent away clashes with the 'Boro.
The 2022 edition of the Derby That Shall Never Be was spoiled by the pre-match loss of Ross Stewart and a display that suggested his teammates had been spooked by the absence of the big Scot, culminating in a disappointing defeat as Tony Mowbray took Sunderland back to his old stamping ground.
Last year's clash, under the guidance of Michael Beale, was scarcely better as we were outplayed for long periods and fell behind before Nazariy Rusyn somehow beat Tom Glover at his near post, salvaging a barely-deserved draw in the process.
This season however, the dynamic is entirely different.
We're harbouring genuine ambitions of a top two finish and Middlesbrough are aiming to take another step towards securing a top six berth.
Our margin for error remains slim and Boro still have plenty of work to do, not least because the likes of West Bromwich Albion, now under the management of the returning Mowbray, are in close proximity and any dropped points could prove crucial.
With that in mind, the idea that this is 'just another game' is easily dismissed. Everyone understands exactly what a victory for either side would mean, but I do think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic — one of them in the shape of our head coach.
For the majority of the season, Régis Le Bris' cool reserve and quiet steeliness has been one of Sunderland's key assets.
He's seldom looked flustered regardless of what's gone on; he's not a man given to producing excuses for poor performances, and although he arguably made an error of judgement by opting for an overly cautious starting eleven and gameplan on Saturday, it did at least provide further evidence that this side wasn't built with the aim of containing an opponent in mind.
Instead, it was built to play positive, dynamic and attack-minded football, yet the strange irony is that Monday's clash could well be the kind of game in which Salis Abdul Samed's ability as a genuine central defensive midfielder may prove more than useful, so the option is there if needed.
Having already secured a home victory over Middlesbrough thanks to Chris Rigg's backheel, there ought to be no mental block for the players when they run out on Monday night, and nor should they allow the disappointment of Plymouth to hinder them.
In what's almost certain to be a cauldron-like atmosphere the Riverside and against a home side that can boast an array of attacking threats, it's absolutely imperative that the Lads hold their nerve.
Late-game tension has seldom been far away this season and it's fair to say that we rarely seem to head into the final stages of matches in a comfortable position.
However, with a touch more ruthlessness in front of goal, smarter game management and greater defensive resilience, there's absolutely no reason we can't pick up a rare and potentially priceless Teesside victory; one that would ensure we park the disappointment of Plymouth and continue to look forward with optimism.
Another tough test awaits and as they've done so often this season, it's time for the Lads to deliver. They did it at Luton, they did it at Hull, and I'm confident they can do it at the Riverside.