Sunderland will be looking to reproduce one of their best performances of the season when Sheffield Wednesday visit Wearside in the play-offs this week, according to Corry Evans.
The Black Cats clinched a place in the play-offs with a 1-0 win at Morecambe on the final day of the season, and they will now take on the Owls over two legs in the semi-final, with the winners playing either MK Dons or Wycombe in the final at Wembley on May 21.
Sunderland finished fifth, a point behind fourth-placed Sheffield Wednesday, and the last time the two sides met the Wearsiders romped to a 5-0 win at the Stadium of Light at the end of December which saw them go into the New Year sitting on top of the table. It more than made up for a 3-0 reverse at Hillsborough the previous month, and now skipper Evans says they need a repeat of that December display in the first leg on Friday night.
"It's two great clubs I have to say first and foremost, and it will be a really good occasion," said Evans. "The first game we were disappointed with ourselves and how we performed in that match.
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"The second game was probably one of our better performances this season, so we just have to try and take that form in and try to do the job over these two legs. Obviously we'll be looking to get a positive result at home but we are quite good away from home as well.
"We've shown that of late that we can go away and keep clean sheets. It's going to be a great occasion and we are all looking forward to it.
"We set out this season to get in the automatics so we are disappointed we didn't achieve what we wanted to but at the same time we have another crack at it, albeit through the play-offs. We have to take the game to Sheffield Wednesday and try and get through to get to Wembley."
Sunderland are the form team going into the play-offs with their win at Morecambe making it 13 games unbeaten for Alex Neil's men. Evans said: "We're in good form we’re confident and we believe we can beat anyone in this league with the way we are playing at the minute. Winning breeds confidence and we're 13 games unbeaten so we're on quite a bit of form at the minute."
Sunderland went to Morecambe knowing that a win would book a place in the play-offs regardless of events elsewhere. Evans said: "We came with the objective to win, that was our main focus to get the job done and not worry about other results and that's what we managed to do."
Evans provided the assist for Nathan Broadhead's decisive goal in the tenth minute, but there was worry for Sunderland before the half-hour when Broadhead limped off with an injury and there will now be an anxious wait to find out whether he will be fit to play on Friday.
"Broady has that threat where he can come short and run in behind so credit to him it was a great finish," said Evans. "Hopefully the injury isn't too bad for him because he's been a big player for us along these last few months. We'll have time to rest up from niggles and knocks and as I say it will be a huge game and we'll need everyone fit and available for Friday."
Evans was outstanding in central midfield as he continued the form that has made him a key player in the Black Cats' run-in, but he also had an injury scare at Morecambe when he took a blow on the ankle. "You get kicks and knocks in games and sometimes you just need a couple of minutes just to let the pain settle," he said.
"More generally, I'm just enjoying my football at the minute, I'm feeling fit, strong and am picking up confidence as we go along. It's been a great run we’ve been on 13 unbeaten now and hopefully we can carry that on into the play-offs."
More than 34,000 fans flocked to the Stadium of Light for the league meeting between Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday at the end of December, and the play-off game is set to attract another huge crowd. Evans said: "I'm sure they'll be out in their numbers, the fans were great again on Saturday - another sold-out away end.
"Particularly at home as well they've been brilliant for us of late with us managing so many late goals, they are pushing us on. We'll get the same backing I'm sure on Friday and it'll be a great occasion."
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