Ross Stewart has made it clear that the job is not done for Sunderland after they booked their place in the League One play-off final. The Black Cats ensured it would be them facing Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley after a 2-1 aggregate win over Sheffield Wednesday in the semi-final.
Patrick Roberts was the hero as he turned Jack Clarke’s low cross beyond Bailey Peacock-Farrell three minutes into stoppage time at Hillsborough. It came after Lee Gregory had wiped out Sunderland’s first-leg advantage when he similarly latched onto a square ball from Marvin Johnson to make it 1-0 on the night.
Stewart’s goal in the first leg was ultimately the difference between the sides who couldn’t be separated in the second leg and he was ecstatic as he spoke directly after the match. Although, he was keen not to get carried away as he reiterated that there is still work to do in the final against Wycombe, who he has already put four goals past this season.
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“It’s obviously a team where I’ve scored well and hopefully that can continue but we also realise, watching them over their two legs, how tough a game it’s going to be,” he told Sky Sports.
“We’ve got over a week now to prepare for that so we’ll rest up well and I’m sure the gaffer will set us up well and we’ll look forward to it.
“The full season goes out the window, it’s one game now and it all comes down to this one game. We’ve done excellent over these two legs and throughout the season but that doesn’t really matter. We’ve got to go there and try and take care of the job, hopefully we can.”
With almost two weeks until the final at Wembley, there is enough time for the players to enjoy the semi-final win before switching their attention. Stewart stressed that a couple of times after the game in the knowledge that they have plenty of time to do their due diligence ahead of the trip to the capital.
“We’ll enjoy it, it’s not every season you get to play at a stadium like Wembley in a joyous occasion,” he added. “We’ll enjoy it but, at the same time, we’re well aware that the job’s not done so after tonight and tomorrow, the focus will turn to a week on Saturday.”
It will be a huge weekend for everyone involved with Sunderland, especially the supporters and Stewart paid tribute to those inside Hillsborough, as well as back on Wearside.
He said: “Those 2,000 probably tell you what it was like [back in Sunderland], the noise they made at the end was incredible and obviously the celebrations. I couldn’t be happier to give them a special day out and hopefully we can get the job done.”
