Sunderland will need a massive collective effort to get through their marathon run-in, according to assistant manager James Fowler.
Saturday’s League One visit of Coventry City is the Black Cats’ fifth game in a sequence of ten in 35 days which will shape their season.
Their squad is deeper than anyone else in the division’s, but with Aiden McGeady, Lee Cattermole and Chris Maguire doubtful for the weekend, and Dylan McGeouch, Lynden Gooch and Duncan Watmore definitely out, it is being stretched.
“It is not easy to go every two or three games, physically and mentally,” said Jack Ross’ No.2.
“It will be a collective effort, the staff and players together, monitoring the younger players and dragging all the players along together.
“Even older players and experienced players may get a bit tense or nervous at these times, if we can do what we are good at, have a good energy then hopefully we will win the games that we need to.”
The fans have a part to play too, Fowler argues. They have already been important, pushing the Black Cats over the line at Rochdale, and giving great support to striker Charlie Wyke in particular.
“It has been relentless, the amount of games,” Fowler added. “They come thick and fast, Saturday-Tuesday, the travelling involved for players and staff and the fans as well.
“It is our job to be doing that but the amount of fans we have taken to away games, the distance and the cost involved, credit to them.
“That has been so impressive, the backing we have had from day one.”
Sunderland go into the game in the second and final automatic promotion spot.
They are a point behind third-placed Barnsley and seven behind leaders Luton Town with a game in hand on both.
Portsmouth are three points further back and like Sunderland they have six matches to go – including one at the Stadium of Light in April.
The teams finishing between third and sixth go into the play-offs.
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