Blackpool manager Simon Grayson has claimed that the return to Sunderland and the potential reception he could get ‘doesn’t bother him’. 

Grayson has had a strong career in management in the EFL of his years, securing promotion from the third division on more than one occasion and his current side look a decent shout to do so this season.

Grayson took charge of Sunderland following their Premier League demise in 2017, looking to oversee an immediate bounce-back from the Black Cats as they prepared for life in the Championship. However, this never happened and he was dismissed from the role following a disappointing 3-3 draw at home to Bolton Wanderers just two months into the season. Sunderland were subsequently relegated from the Championship and now spend their second season in League One after narrowly missing out on promotion last campaign.

Grayson returned to Blackpool for his second stint at the club in the summer and is currently guiding the club towards a push for automatic promotion. The Tangerines are unbeaten in six having just triumphed in the Fylde Coast derby against Fleetwood and are looking to continue this run against a struggling Sunderland side.

Previewing the game to the Blackpool Gazette, Grayson had this to say on the potential of a frosty reception from his former supporters: “I’m looking forward to going into the next game because we’re in a decent run of form and it’s a game we’d like to go and win.

“Regardless of me being there in the past, that doesn’t really play any significance to me. There’s no extra spice or anything like that.

“It’s about what the players need to go and do to prepare in the same manner we’ve prepared for every game this season and go there and try and enjoy the experience of going to the biggest club in League One, with the biggest ground and the biggest fanbase.

“There’s some fantastic facilities there so it’s a big coup for any team that goes up there and wins.

“But we certainly go there in good spirits knowing that we’re capable of getting the victory.”

The Verdict

Grayson will be fully focused on making sure his side continue their great run of form by potentially picking up another win, but it would also be nice to get a win at Sunderland having seen how his short tenure there ended.

Blackpool will be keen to pile the misery on Phil Parkinson who will agree with Grayson that taking on the job at the Stadium of Light is a tall order at the moment.