Kevin Phillips: This is how Sunderland can overturn two-goal deficit to reach play-off final
Kevin Phillips has tipped the return of fans to the Stadium of Light to help Sunderland overturn a two-goal deficit against Lincoln City on Saturday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the 2000 European Golden Shoe winner claimed an early goal “could make all the difference” for Lee Johnson’s side in the second leg.
A 2-0 loss to Lincoln in the first leg of the play-off semi-final on Wednesday leaves the Black Cats with it all to do this weekend.
Saturday’s second leg will see the return of supporters to the Stadium of Light for the first time in over a year, with 10,000 spectators expected in attendance.
Phillips claimed the fans will demand Lee Johnson’s side to be on the front foot from the get-go.
“Lincoln have got the best away record in the league so it doesn’t bode too well for them,” he told Football Insider.
“I still back them to do it though because the crowd will be behind them. They will create opportunities, they just need to make sure they take them. If they get a goal in the first half an hour it could make all the difference.
“You have got to be cautious but not too cautious. The crowd up there will demand attack, attack, attack. They just need to make sure that they get organised when they don’t have the ball. It is as simple as that.
“Lincoln are quick and direct on the counter-attack though so it promises to be a really intriguing game.”
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