Alex Neil admits selecting his substitutes will be as tough a decision as picking his starting XI as he prepares to lead Sunderland out at Wembley in the League One play-off final this weekend. Barring just a couple of long-term absentees, the Black Cats boss has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from, and that means he has options as far as personnel and therefore systems are concerned as he looks to find a winning formula against Wycombe Wanderers.
It also means he has flexibility when deciding who to include on the bench, with the Scot looking to strike a balance between cover for injuries and fatigue along with players who can change games and make an impact if called upon. But Neil says it can also throw up a dilemma if a player who narrowly misses out on the starting line-up then finds themselves left off the teamsheet altogether because they do not fit his criteria for subs.
"It can be as hard to pick who is on the bench as who starts," said Neil. "The reason is that the bench is a different kettle of fish.
