'Absolutely amazing' Sunderland 'give hope to other promoted teams'
[Getty Images] Former Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Sunderland "staying true to their principles" has been key to a fine season that has taken them to the verge of European football. In their return to the top flight for the first time since 2016-17, the Black Cats go into the final day with a chance of playing in Europe for the first time since 1973. "Fantastic, a really great story," Reo-Coker told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"I've had to deal with so many conversations about how the Premier League is too strong now for teams coming up from the Championship - the three that come up go down, and I've always been against that. "I've always felt that it's the identity that the teams that come up have. Some of these teams when they get into the Premier League change and suddenly try and act all Hollywood instead of sticking with what got them there and trying to evolve from there.
"That is what Sunderland did. They recruited lots of players with experience, they went in there with no fear, stayed true to their principles, and didn't try and play total football and act like they've been in the Premier league forever. "You have to earn the right and they have earned the right and the season they have had has been absolutely amazing.
That should give hope to other teams who come up to say, 'you can achieve that if you do the right footballing things with the right footballing principles'. " Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds