Alex Pritchard insists Sunderland will give it their all at Kenilworth Road as they look to build on their play-off win against Luton Town and book a place in the final at Wembley. The Black Cats hold a precious - if slender - lead in the two-legged tie after coming from behind to win 2-1 against the Hatters at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
But Tony Mowbray's injury-hit side has another tough game ahead of them tomorrow in the return fixture, although the chance of another trip to Wembley 12 months after last season's League One play-off final win underneath the arch is a mouthwatering prospect. First, though, they must go to Luton and finish the job, and Pritchard knows that will not be easy against a side that finished third in the table, three places and 11 points above the Black Cats.
"They are a brilliant team," said Pritchard, who was part of the Sunderland side that beat Wycombe in the League One play-off final last year. "They finished third in the Championship and were in the play-offs last year.
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"They are a very good team, they are very experienced, they have some very good players. This game [the first leg] is done now, it's in the past.
"We have to focus, rest up and we'll give it a go [in the second leg]. It [Kenilworth Road] is a nice place to go, I love it.
"It's a proper English stadium. These are the games you want to go to.
"You have all the different stadiums, the Stadium of Light is unbelievable, but you go down there and it's just different. It's going to be hostile, their fans are going to get behind them but we’ve got fans going and we’ll see what we can do
"We've been there before [in October] and we drew 1-1 but it was probably loads of different players that were playing - I can't remember that far back! We are going to go down there and give it our all."
Pritchard also hailed Sunderland's 'never-say-die attitude' for keeping their play-off dream alive. They had to regroup after conceding early to a set-piece, but goals from Amad and Trai Hume either side of half-time turned the game on its head.
Sunderland's win extended their unbeaten run to ten games, while halting Luton's 14-game unbeaten streak, as the Wearsiders' incredible season continued after they secured a play-off place on the final day of the regular Championship campaign at Preston a week ago. "I think it's just all credit to everyone, really, that is involved in it," said Pritchard of Sunderland's play-off charge.
"We have had so many ups and downs and injuries, and everyone knows what's gone on, but the togetherness is just unbelievable. It's a never say die attitude, we go 1-0 down from a set-piece after 10 minutes and it's just 'right, keep playing your football'.
"I thought we thoroughly deserved our result on Saturday."
Amad's equaliser came from a short free-kick, with Pritchard tapping the ball to the on-loan Manchester United man and he unleashed an unstoppable shot which bent into the top left-hand corner. Pritchard smiled: "I just think it was all in the pass really! No, look it was an unbelievable free-kick.
"They had all their 6ft 8in players in the box so there was no point putting it in the box. Full credit to Amad."
Sunderland's lack of height at set-pieces is an issue at both ends of the pitch, but it has simply meant that they have had to keep the ball on the floor and pass through teams. "I just think that with the players we've got that’s the only way we can play," said Pritchard.
"What's the point in getting everyone up the park and booting it long, because it's just going to come back, and it wouldn't be enjoyable for us because we haven't got those players. This is the hands we've been dealt and that's the way we have to play.
"We haven't got Ross [Stewart, who has been injured since January] up front, we can't play off him, but then we’ve got Joffy [Joe Gelhardt] up front and his hold-up play is incredible. It's full credit to the team."
Pritchard came off just before full-time after taking a knock in a challenge with Gabe Osho and he will be assessed before a decision is made over his involvement in the second leg, although Mowbray sounded optimistic after the game. Pritchard himself said immediately after the match: "We'll just have to see how it is and go from there really."
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