Sunderland told Alex Neil is the man to lead them back to the Premier League

Luton Town forward Cameron Jerome believes Alex Neil is the right man to lead Sunderland back to the Premier League. The former Norwich City striker won promotion under Neil's guidance at Carrow Road and believes the Black Cats boss has done a remarkable job.

That opinion was echoed by Alex Bruce, son of former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce. Speaking to Football Daily's 72, Alex Bruce said: "Yeah you did, I think when you're the favourite, you have to credit Alex Neil and the Sunderland players. I had a similar situation in my first season in football with Sheffield Wednesday.

"We played Hartlepool in the League One play-off final. When you come out the stadium, come out onto the pitch and you just see three quarters of the ground, in your own colours like Sunderland were the other day, the one thing you have to do is turn up and meet the expectation of the occasion.

"They certainly did that. They scored at the right times and they dominated the game. They were by far the better team on the day. Fair play to the players and Alex Neil for coping with the occasion.

"There's a saying in football to play the day not the occasion and they did that. Both clubs, Newcastle and Sunderland, the intensity of the North-East, there's no place like it in my opinion.

"They live and breathe football up there but all these things, you have to take them into consideration with the job that Alex Neil has done. Think of the expectation, Wembley would have been a bad place if they'd been beaten on Saturday.

"Think of what he's achieved, he's put smile on faces and for all the Sunderland fans I'm sure they're looking forward to a Championship campaign next season. It's going to be a difficult job because the Championship is going to be very,