John Coleman believes that an empty Stadium of Light will be a bonus to his play-off chasing Accrington Stanley.
The Stanley boss says a trip to Wearside should be enough to lift anybody and hints at that being the reason behind Sunderland's struggles at home.
Like every game this season, the Stadium of Light will be closed for spectators and the 58-year-old believes it will favour Accrington, rather than the Black Cats.
Speaking ahead of the trip to Wearside, Coleman said: “Going to the Stadium of Light should lift anybody, players of our standard, and possibly that’s why Sunderland have had that problem the last couple of years that people are enthused by going there.
“Logic says an empty stadium should favour us rather than the home side, but I am not thinking about that. I am thinking how we play against 11 Sunderland players not the very passionate and vociferous Mackems.
“It’s nice to be going to these places like the Stadium of Light but these clubs should be playing higher.
"Sunderland have got a marvellous fan base, great, passionate fans, they are a massive club that unfortunately isn’t where it should be in my opinion and I would like to see them restored to where they should be in the leagues.
“Lee has done well, he knows his onions, he has not gone into a team in freefall, they have got a good squad of players, a healthy budget, a marvellous training ground and he will believe he has a great chance of getting them promoted.”
