Sunderland boss Chris Coleman hoping Sheffield Wednesday face a fiery atmosphere at Stadium of Light

Sheffield Wednesday head to Sunderland with Black Cats boss Chris Coleman attempting to ramp up the atmosphere among home fans at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland manager Chris ColemanSunderland manager Chris Coleman
Sunderland manager Chris Coleman

Around 2600 Owls fans will travel to the north east on Monday but Coleman is hoping those supporters will be drowned out by Mackems.

In a letter to Sunderland fans, Coleman called on them to get behind their team for what he described as Sunderland's 'biggest game of our season'.

David Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this seasonDavid Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this season
David Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this season
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Black Cats secured a vital and surprising 4-1 victory over Derby County on Friday which took them away from the bottom of the Championship, however a win for Birmingham later that evening took the shine off the rare success.

Sunderland have won just twice at home in the league this season and are currently five points from safety.

With that, Coleman has pleased with supporters to help the team get a positive result against a Wednesday side who have won their last two against Leeds United and Preston.

"The dust has settled and it’s time to go again," wrote Coleman. "Easter Monday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday is the biggest of our season so far, as we aim to build on a cracking win at Derby County.

Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate David Jones' goal against Sunderland at Hillsborough in AugustSheffield Wednesday players celebrate David Jones' goal against Sunderland at Hillsborough in August
Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate David Jones' goal against Sunderland at Hillsborough in August
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Let’s make no bones about it, the Stadium of Light hasn’t been an easy place for us to play at this season and there’s been little for you to cheer about, with victories few and far between. As a manager and as players we have to own that, and front up to it.

"Back in August, 30,000 of you turned up to watch us begin our season with a point against Derby. I’m sure many of you arrived that day believing we would be promotion contenders, while others predicted a solid campaign which would provide a platform to build from.

"Few, if any, thought we would be scrapping for our lives with seven games remaining. Okay, there will be no promotion party, no race for the top-six, or even a boring end to an average season, but none of that matters right now.

"As a club, we need to put everything else to one side and fight for our future because, as we all know, it is worth fighting for. On Friday, we reminded everyone that we’re still here and we will not give up, but we need to do it again on Monday and then again after that.

David Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this seasonDavid Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this season
David Jones' superb strike secured a point for Wednesday against Sunderland earlier this season
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"As a team, we can’t do it alone. We need each and every one of you. Perhaps we don’t deserve it, believe me I know this has been a tough season, and we can’t fix what we need to repair overnight. But this club is worth fighting for, you know it and I know it.

"We all feel it each and every time the first whistle sounds. "You can make it nigh on impossible for teams to play here, while giving us the confidence and belief we need to beat anyone. "So, let’s put it all to one side. And, for now, forget about everything other than Monday’s game and how good it will feel if we’ve clinched back-to-back wins come 5pm. Together, we can turn this around."

Sunderland and Wednesday drew 1-1 at Hillsborough at the beginning of this season, when Simon Grayson was in charge of the visitors. David Jones's stunning strike cancelled out George Honeyman's early opener for Sunderland.

Three days previous to that, Sunderland had beaten Norwich but they didn't pick up three points again until beating Burton on November 25.