Sunderland 'punched above their weight' but fell just short in the Championship play-offs - and boss Tony Mowbray has vowed they will be back all the stronger next season. The Black Cats were beaten 2-0 by Luton Town at Kenilworth Road in the second leg of their semi-final tie, which meant they missed out on a Wembley appearance as their 2-1 first-leg lead was overturned and they lost 3-2 on aggregate.
But while Mowbray's disappointment was there for all to see when he spoke to the media after the game, so was his pride at the achievements of his young team who had to contend with a catalogue of injuries and yet finished sixth in their first season back in the second tier. "I'm very proud of the team, very proud of the supporters and very proud of the city of Sunderland," said Mowbray.
"We'll get stronger and we'll be back next season. First and foremost, we have to talk about the team, and how proud I am of these young lads who week-in, week-out, have given everything they've got.
