Sunderland defender Chris Mepham gave an honest assessment of the business end of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Sunderland beat Millwall at the weekend, with Trai Hume bagging the decisive goal.
Regis Le Bris’ side went into the clash with very little wind in their sails, coming off the back of an international break that was preceded by a 3-0 thumping by Coventry City, one that raised questions on the Sunderland boss.
Nonetheless, they were back on form in the victory over Alex Neil’s Millwall, as Patrick Roberts shone on the right, whilst Hume was exceptional, scoring, and also looking more than comfortable in his unconventional left-back role, which he was handed amid several defensive injuries.
Another man who shone for Sunderland was Chris Mepham, and the Welshman gave his honest thoughts on the side’s recent form and what they must do in the final games, something that will truly bode well with Black Cats fans.
Chris Mepham’s post-Millwall assessment and the next seven Sunderland games
The Millwall win was truly a crucial one for Le Bris’ side, who certainly needed to gather momentum after several turgid displays in the last few weeks. Thankfully, this has been reflected on by Welsh centre-back Mepham, who gave a more-than-honest reflection on what his team must do.
Per Sunderland Echo, Mepham said: “These next seven games are going to be massive. When you’re in a team that’s playing well and getting good results, you feel like you can play anyone. On the flip side, when you’re in a team that isn’t getting results and lacking a bit of confidence, which we probably have done the last couple of weeks, it makes anywhere you go seem that bit harder.
“It was important we gave the fans a reaction. We were all well below our level last week and that was as far away from our normal selves as I’ve seen us. We want to carry the momentum into the play-offs.”
Sunderland find themselves with two tricky ties next in the Championship as they travel to both Tony Mowbray’s West Brom and Norwich City in the space of three days.
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Chris Mepham’s comments have put to bed one fan worry
One issue that several Sunderland fans certainly had as we entered the international break was the fact that the team looked rather shot of confidence and fitness, which was evident in the 3-0 humping to Frank lampard’s Coventry.
However, all that talk of Sunderland becoming ‘complacent’ has surely been put to bed after Mepham’s words, who has explained by facing it straight on that the side will ensure this doesn’t happen.
It is true, going into the last few games, there is no underestimating how crucial gaining momentum could be for Le Bris’ side, especially considering the form that Coventry are in, a team they are likely to come across in the Championship play-off semi-final.