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Sunderland make HUGE change to the Stadium of Light pitch that everyone is talking about

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The Black Cats host Coventry City in their crucial Championship play-off semi-final second leg on Tuesday, with a dramatic pitch change spotted

Are Sunderland within their rights to do so?
Are Sunderland within their rights to do so? (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunderland have made a huge change to the Stadium of Light pitch ahead of their clash with Coventry City tonight.

The Black Cats lead 2-1 ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final second leg, with a place at Wembley Stadium in the final up for grabs.

Frank Lampard's side have been known for exploiting once crucial set-piece in particular this season, and it is clear Sunderland want to prevent their opponents from any kind of unfair advantage ahead of kick-off in the north-east.

Sunderland make HUGE change to the Stadium of Light pitch - but what is it?

Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates his team's first goal scored by Wilson Isidor during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City AFC and Sunderland AFC at MKM Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Hull, England.

Sunderland are potentially just two games away from Premier League football next season (Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

Having scored a total of 15 goals from dead-ball positions this season, Coventry City love to exploit the long throw seen by defender Milan van Ewijk. The Dutchman was, however, at fault in the first leg, as his sloppy back pass was seized upon by Eliezer Mayenda, who notched a late winner.

But their plans from throw-ins just got a whole lot harder at the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland implementing a cheeky change to the pitch that could alter their preparations ahead of the match.

Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick will go toe-to-toe once again in the dugout as Coventry take on Middlesbrough

Frank Lampard's side arrive at the Stadium of Light trailing by just one goal (Image credit: Getty Images)

Slyly, staff at the Stadium of Light have moved their advertising hoardings closer to the pitch in a bid to curb Van Ewijk's huge threat and therefore boost their chances of progressing to the play-off final.

There are no rules that state a club cannot do so, with Sunderland's run-off around the pitch substantially bigger than other teams in the division.

“The little bit of news I've got from the Stadium of Light is this - my spies tell me that earlier today, Sunderland had the LED perimeter advertising boards at the Stadium of Light moved in towards the pitch by two metres," talkSPORT's Adrian Durham said earlier today when previewing the game.

It's a bold move from Regis Le Bris' side, who have quite clearly done their homework and want to keep the ball on the pitch longer, where they feel they will be able to pass Coventry off the park.

Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates after he scores the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sunderland AFC and Oxford United FC at Stadium of Light on October 26, 2024 in Sunderland, England.

Sunderland are bidding to reach the Championship play-off final once again (Image credit: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's view, Sunderland are well within their rights to do so, and football is often lacking that kind of sh**housery. We are behind it!

Fans can watch the Championship play-off semi-final game live, from wherever you are in the world, by tuning in this evening.

Matthew Holt
Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally a six-a-side call-up.