Sunderland head to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon, in what is the final round of Championship fixtures before the international break.
Sunderland could go into the March international break in one of two ways: on a high, or on a quite desperate low.
Although the Black Cats remain in 4th place of the Championship table, and with a 13 point gap to Coventry City in 6th, the mood is low among fans after a 1-1 draw against Preston on Tuesday night.
The performance and result suggested that the Black Cats still have a way to go before they’re true promotion contenders. And also that, if they are promoted this season, competing in the Premier League would be an insurmountable challenge.
Frank Lampard is now the man in charge of the Sky Blues. Lampard replaced Mark Robins in November 2024 and he’s since done a surprisingly stellar job, winning 12 of his 22 games in charge and making firm play-off contenders out of his new side.
What Sunderland hero Lee Cattermole once said about Frank Lampard
Lampard and Sunderland have faced each other countless times over the years. But digging through the annals, one of the best memories, or set of quotes, might be from former Sunderland captain and hardman Lee Cattermole.
Once a very formidable player in the Premier League, Cattermole was eyeing a place in the England side after his fine start to the 2014/15 season, hinting at replacing the likes of Lampard and Steven Gerard in the national set up.
The now 36-year-old said back in September 2014: “You see lads getting opportunities now and for me that has got to be a motivation.
“In recent years, it is not something for me to be too interested in because of the names that were playing – the Gerrards and the Lampards. But you look at the boys who have got in and who are playing well and that is something that I am trying to achieve.
“So yes, it has become a goal for me getting into the squad. England is going through that cycle of change right now.”
Cattermole never did get his senior call up, despite representing England at U16, 17, 18, 19, and 21 level.
- READ MORE: ‘Look at the body language’… What Gary Bennett noticed about unhappy Sunderland player vs Preston
Nick Barnes’ Coventry City verdict ahead of Sunderland clash
A lot has changed since the days when Cattermole was fronting the Sunderland midfield, and looking to get ahead of Lampard in the Three Lions set up.
After a mixed start to life in the dugout, Lampard is once again making a name for himself in the Championship, and BBC pundit Nick Barnes has been full of praise.
Speaking in February, Barnes hailed Lampard’s work at Coventry City so far, saying: “There’s always one team that has a run that takes them into the play-offs. Coventry are on a remarkable run at the minute.
“They always seem, in the last few seasons, to start poorly and then get themselves together. Before you know it, there’s Coventry back in the frame again. Here they are again this season knocking on the door.”
Saturday’s game will certainly be an intriguing one with a win for either side bound to be a huge confidence-booster ahead of the break, and ahead of the run-in.