Dan Neil insists Sunderland are still in the play-off race - despite dropping two vital points at home against relegation strugglers Huddersfield Town on Tuesday. The Black Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by the Terriers, with Joe Gelhardt's first-half opener cancelled out by Josh Koroma's deflected strike in the second period.
It was a game that Sunderland needed to win to keep building momentum in the run-in as they eye a place in the play-offs, and it has made their task all the more difficult over the final three games. But, with those final three games pitting the Black Cats against play-off rivals West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Preston, they are still in with an outside chance and Neil says they will give it their best shot.
"I think probably a few weeks ago when we had that little bit of a tough spell everyone thought that the play-offs were out of our hands, and we have managed to claw ourselves back into contention," said the 21-year-old midfielder. "Tuesday night was a disappointing result but it's another point on the board, we still have to play everyone around us that is trying to get in the play-offs.
