Sunderland players never doubted that they had what it takes to seal a Championship play-off place, according to Jack Clarke. After winning promotion from League One 12 months ago, the Black Cats have exceeded all expectations this term as they stepped up a level and immediately set about launching a play-off challenge.
They kept the heat on their rivals in the run-in but went into the final day needing to win at Preston and also hope that either Middlesbrough beat Coventry City or that Millwall dropped points at home to Blackburn Rovers if they were to finish in the top six. But their wishes came true as winger Clarke scored in a 3-0 win at Deepdale, while Blackburn's 4-3 win at Millwall meant the Wearsiders leapfrogged the Lions to finish sixth, above Rovers on goal difference, to earn a play-off spot and set up a two-legged semi-final against Luton Town.
"Us as a group we always thought we could get in there [the top six] and deserved to be in there," said Clarke. "To get in there and cement our spot in the play-offs is a big achievement for us as a team, a big achievement as a club, especially with the amount of injuries and setbacks we've had this year.
