Tony Mowbray assesses Sunderland's play-off exit and hails 'amazing achievement'

Tony Mowbray has hailed his Sunderland side's efforts this season, following their exit from the Championship play-off semi-final at the hands of Luton Town.

Luton Town won the game 3-2 on aggregate after claiming a 2-0 win over the Black Cats at Kenilworth Road tonight.

It was an entertaining game from start to finish but Sunderland couldn't breakthrough a sturdy Hatters side, who scored both of their goals in the first half of the game.

But it was still an heroic effort from Sunderland who surprised everyone by booking themselves a place in this season's play-offs, and speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Mowbray had this to say:

"Obviously the dressing room is disappointed. We knew the task we had in front of us. We knew their strengths, we knew our potential weaknesses, and they came to fruition really. I've just told them how proud I am of them all. I'm proud of the supporters and the city of Sunderland. I think it's an amazing achievement what they've done this year.

"Unfortunately we sort of ran out of the ammunition that you need in a football team. I've always said football teams are made up of speed, quality, size, physicality, talent, and we were missing a few ingredients in the team.

"But we gave it our best shot. You have to give them [Luton Town] a lot of credit, they were hugely committed of course, as you would expect. Tight pitch, put the ball your the box, scored from the set plays that we knew were out Achilles heel... As I've said, the main message is how proud I am of the team."

What Mowbray and the Sunderland recruitment team need to do this summer is clear - add some steel and physicality to the side.

The squad is very technical and very youthful at the minute, but with a few smart additions in the summer, they could become very strong contenders for promotion next time round.

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