If the season was to end today, the Black Cats would be paired with Blackpool in a two-legged semi-final, having already played two games against the Seasiders in the last two weeks. Embleton would not be eligible to play against Sunderland, with the play-offs having the same rules as the regular season, but he could remain as part of the Blackpool squad in case Neil Critchley’s side were to win and claim a place in the final. That would put the 22-year-old in the somewhat awkward position of being a ‘spy in the camp’ though, and Johnson would be minded to recall him to Wearside, with his current loan deal only running to the end of the regular campaign. “It’s not something I’ve really thought about, but my instinct at the moment is to say, ‘No, of course not, we’d pull him back’,” said the Sunderland boss. “He couldn’t play for them against us, although in theory he could play in a final if they were to beat us. “He couldn’t come back and play for us. We couldn’t bring him back because once you get past March 22, then nobody who is not registered can be brought back in. If that was possible, then we’d probably think about it. Some clubs seem to make it possible (Peterborough signed an emergency goalkeeper last month) but not us.” full story ....https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...ll-elliot-embleton-blackpool-ahead-play-offs/ we could have a big effect on Blackpools chances here
If they beat us in the semis then I see no reason whatsoever why we shouldn’t allow the lad to play at Wembley for Blackpool and try to help him go up. He might need that experience next season for us.
Blackpool have already done the double over us so we have to ask what can Embo tell them about us that he hasn't already? He can't tell them how we would line up because, due to the injury situation, even LJ won't know who is available until a couple of days before any meeting between us. Even if he could tell them the line up he still couldn't tell them our formation or where those players would feature within it. This being the case then I can't see what we would have to fear from leaving him to see out his loan period at Blackpool. Recalling him would be seen as unsporting ****housery by SAFC and would only serve to damage our club's reputation.
Unless the rules have changed at the moment we are eligible to play Lincoln in the semis. 6 v 3rd and 3 v 6th 5 v 4th and 4 v 5th Or is this a wind up?
A wind up of course not mate, that is part of an article not written by me with a link to the full article, i cant think how i could make it any plainer, if you want to read it to be fair it is even in red ink to make it stand out with the words FULL STORY ..full story ....https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...ll-elliot-embleton-blackpool-ahead-play-offs/ we could have a big effect on Blackpools chances here
Yeah but if the season ended now we’d play Lincoln in the semifinals and Portsmouth or Charlton in the final (just because that’s our luck!!)
I'd rather play Oxford in the final (If we get there) and for that reason I'd end his loan now. Weaken Blackpool in their semi-final. Bit harsh on the lad if he misses the chance to play at Wembley because of it but we have to do what's best for the club at the end of the day.
I would recall him. Would be classic Sunderland for him to get promoted with Blackpool. Doesn’t really sit right with me despite the fact he can’t play against us in prospective final .....
Blackpool manager quoted yesterday saying we can't recall him until after the play-offs Stunning arrogance from Johnson to allow Embleton to join Blackpool......although, at the time Blackpool were 15th in the league
Thought we could recall him if we gave notice by 24th March, seem to remember LJ mentioning this in an interview. Once that date had passed then we could not recall. Interesting decision but how many games would he have played for us if he had stopped here.