Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has issued his verdict on the club’s efforts in the race for automatic promotion to the Championship, ahead of a vital match away to Coventry City at the weekend.

The Black Cats have found themselves right at the thick of a push for automatic promotion after it seemed in the turn of the New Year that the pressure was mounting immensely on Parkinson to deliver results.

However, a marked improvement in the side’s output at both ends of the pitch has seen their fortunes completely turned around, as they now sit just three points behind both second-placed Coventry City and first-placed Rotherham United.

A run that since seen Sunderland concede three goals in their last seven games, with five wins and five clean sheets lifting the Black Cats to fourth in League One.

Last time out, Sunderland faced Fleetwood Town at home in a clash that would help benchmark their current run of form against another side in the hunt for promotion and they snatched a late point thanks to a 97th-minute Max Power effort, cancelling out Barry McKay’s early opener for the Cod Army.

Up next is another promotion rival as Sunderland make the trip to St. Andrew’s to face Coventry in a clash that could see Sunderland move into the top two if they win and Wycombe Wanderers don’t.

With such a crucial game in the offing, Parkinson spoke to the media to preview the clash and how the current fight for promotion is shaping up. He had this to say to the club’s official website: “We’re pleased to be within touching distance of the top two. It’s the business end of the season and now everyone has to be ready to give everything to get us over the line.

“We have got to be prepared to go to the last minute of the last game. It is about playing when the pressure is on and we have got a very driven group who is ready for it.”

Can you take on this Sunderland left-foot/right-foot challenge?

The verdict

Sunderland have left themselves with a really good shot at promotion this season after their first-half struggles this season.

An extremely solid defence has been the foundation for so many results this season and it no surprise that they have found themselves near the top.

They aren’t far off the top two and a win over Coventry would certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons with just 12 games left after that.

It will be one of the toughest games that Sunderland play all season at St. Andrew’s but their current form gives them every chance.