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“Many things were said”- Sunderland Star Reveals What Really Happened Behind Closed Doors After Oxford Loss
Dan Neil Opens Up on Dressing Room Reality After Sunderland’s Fourth Straight Defeat
Sunderland captain Dan Neil has shared a candid insight into the mood inside the Black Cats’ dressing room following their disappointing 2-0 loss to Oxford United—just as the Championship play-offs loom.
Despite having already secured a spot in the play-offs, Sunderland’s form has taken a worrying turn, with Saturday’s defeat at the Kassam Stadium marking their fourth consecutive league loss.
It followed head coach Regis Le Bris’ call for a reaction after a narrow 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but instead, his side delivered another flat performance.
Speaking after the game, Neil revealed that emotions ran high behind closed doors.
“Things were said in the dressing room after that game on Saturday, and that’s good,” the 23-year-old told SAFC.com. “We don’t have long until the play-offs, so everyone laid it out on the line in there.”
Despite recent struggles, Neil remains confident the team can deliver when it matters most.
“We know we can beat anyone in this league on our day,” he added. “We’ve shown up in big games before, and I have no doubt we’ll show up again when it matters—the biggest games of the season and our careers so far.”
Sunderland’s recent form is far from encouraging—just one point from the last 15 available, scoring only once and conceding six in that stretch.
Their attacking edge has dulled, and defensive lapses have become costly. Yet Neil is using the Oxford result as a motivational tool.
“You saw how much it meant to Oxford,” he said. “They showed up for their biggest game of the season, got the result they needed, and achieved their goals.
That’s exactly the attitude we need. Our biggest games are coming, and we’ve still got everything to play for.”
Off the pitch, there’s been reason to celebrate. Young stars Jobe Bellingham and Chris Rigg were both honored by the EFL for their performances this season, and both are now setting their sights on a bigger prize: promotion.
Sunderland wrap up the regular season with a home clash against QPR, a final opportunity to regain some momentum before the play-off semi-finals.
Neil has urged his teammates and the wider club to stick together and rally for the crucial run ahead.
“We have to stay united—everyone connected to the club,” he said. “We’ll be ready.”
Manager Regis Le Bris is said to be drawing inspiration from Southampton’s path to promotion last season, when the Saints struggled late in the season but still triumphed in the play-offs.
Sunderland’s own history in the play-offs is checkered, but a strong finish against QPR could be just what they need to spark a charge back to the Premier League.
