Sunderland will attempt to put their FA Cup defeat by Newcastle United behind them as they trip to Ipswich Town in the Championship this weekend.
Sunderland can be ‘as optimistic as anyone’ about making the play-offs, according to Michael Beale, as the Black Cats prepare to put their derby setback behind them and refocus to their Championship campaign. Sunderland were eliminated from the FA Cup at the Stadium of Light by arch-rivals Newcastle United, compounding the sorrow of losing the Wear-Tyne derby.
But manager Beale feels they can’t afford to dwell on that loss as they prepare for their next test, which is against promotion-chasing Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.
Sunderland enters the game in sixth place, having returned to the play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Preston North End on New Year’s Day before to the derby defeat.
“We need to move forward,” Beale added. “We have 20 games remaining in the Championship, so we don’t have time to dwell [on the derby defeat].
“It doesn’t penalise us in the league, does it? We’re currently sat in sixth position which, I think, for a group as young as ours is a really optimistic place to be.
“It was horrible feeling for the fans on Saturday, but I hope this team can grow and give the fans many a happier day moving forward. With 20 games to go, we can be as optimistic as anybody of getting in those play-off positions and that’s my sole focus now.”
Saturday’s game will be another difficult test in front of the television cameras, with Ipswich presently second in the table following a strong first half of the season. The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One last season, and Kieran McKenna’s team is aiming for back-to-back promotions, albeit their pace has stalled in the last month, with five league games without a win.
On the season’s first weekend, Ipswich defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light, due to goals from Nathan Broadhead and George Hirst, who had previously loaned from the Black Cats. Trai Hume was sent off for a second yellow card that day, but Sunderland responded with a goal from Dan Neil near the end.
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