A former Sunderland figure has shared the ‘unbelievable’ speech that Alex Neil gave to the players ahead of the League One play-off final in 2022.
It feels like an age ago since Sunderland were in League One. But in reality, it was less than two years ago.
At the end of the 2021/22 season, Sunderland sealed their long-awaited return to the Championship after beating Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off final.
Neil was the man to finally get the Black Cats over the line, following a long list of predecessors who weren’t up to the task.
Soon after the start of the 2022/23 season, Neil would leave for Stoke City, and he’s since been sacked by the Potters.
Alex Neil gives ‘unbelievable’ speech ahead of Sunderland vs Wycombe Wanderers
Former Sunderland kitman Stephen Aziz recently gave an insightful interview to We Are Sunderland.
He discussed a number of topics with one being Neil and the play-off final.
Aziz revealed what Neil had said to the Sunderland players before the game to get them rallied up, saying:
“Alex has given everyone the belief. I wish [I’d recorded it], and this is my biggest regret – Alex did a speech before the game and it was unbelievable.
“He said, ‘this is your moment, do it for your friends, your family, do it for the fans, don’t let yourselves down, you can be the ones that write yourselves down in history and be the ones that get Sunderland out of League One after so long.’ Something along those lines.
“It was an incredible speech and everyone in the dressing room will probably remember.”
Elliot Embleton and Ross Stewart were the scorers in a 2-0 win over Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers that day.
What could’ve been for Neil at the Stadium of Light
Should Neil have stayed at the Stadium of Light, things for both parties might well be very different right now.
Neil didn’t succeed at Stoke City and his tenure there has done his reputation no good, and what’s next for the Scot remains to be seen; he was briefly linked with a return to Sunderland.
And if Sunderland were able to keep Neil who was doing a good job upon the club’s return to the second tier, they might not be in such a predicament right now.
Managerial changes and a poor appointment in Michael Beale has left the Black Cats needing points simply to ensure their Championship survival for another year.
And memories like the one of the League One play-off final now seem a long way away for Sunderland, who have lost their last six in the Championship.
Up next for the Black Cats is a home game vs QPR this weekend; a defeat for Mike Dodds‘ side could really pull them into the relegation picture, with just nine points being the gap right now.