Kevin Phillips makes claim about Sunderland’s crunch clash with MK Dons

The Black Cats have fallen behind MK Dons in recent weeks, due to a poor run of form that saw Lee Johnson dismissed as manager.

Alex Neil has come into the fold and is now set to take charge of his first home game with the club.

But former Sunderland striker Phillips has claimed that the team has to avoid defeat in this game, but wonders whether players will be able to handle the pressure of the occasion. 

“It’s a huge game for Sunderland,” said Phillips, via Football Insider.

“They cannot afford to lose really given their league positions. They need to win really. It is a high pressure game.

“I’m sure the supporters will turn up in their thousands for Alex Neil’s home game. The support will be there. The big question is – can the players handle the pressure? There may be a few disgruntled fans in the stadium after the ownership revelations this week.

“It’s a big match and a big test for the players. MK Dons are no pushovers but let’s hope they get a result.”

Sunderland are two points behind MK Dons going into this weekend’s game, where defeat could see that grow to five. 

More crucially, Wycombe Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday are all breathing down their necks and could leapfrog Sunderland this weekend if results go against Neil’s side. 

The game kicks off at 3pm this Saturday. 

Given that Sunderland have played more games than the teams directly below them, except for Oxford, defeat to MK Dons would be a disaster.

That would see their play-off hopes take a massive dent, let alone their automatic promotion hopes.

In fact, a loss to MK Dons should see the end of any hopes of a top two finish for Sunderland.

It is a massive first home game for Neil and he will be hoping that his players