Forgotten Sunderland man is responsible for astounding Championship play-offs statistic

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For Sunderland it’s Championship play-offs season, and supporters will keenly be sat in front of their tv screens and at stadiums in the coming weeks as four sides fight it out for the Premier League.

Bristol City and Sheffield United kick-off the festival of football on Thursday evening at Ashton Gate, before the Black Cats make the trip south to Coventry City 24 hours later in the first of two legs.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LeedsLeeds	46	29	13	4	95	30	65	100
2	BurnleyBurnley	46	28	16	2	69	16	53	100
3	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	46	28	8	10	63	36	27	90
4	SunderlandSunderland	46	21	13	12	58	44	14	76
5	CoventryCoventry	46	20	9	17	64	58	6	69
6	Bristol CityBristol City	46	17	17	12	59	55	4	68

The four clubs were separated by a colossal 22 points over the course of the regular campaign, but form heading into the play-offs has seen those in fifth and sixth close the gap to their rivals and it is set out to be an incredible four matches.

However, for one player in particular, this run of games will be of huge interest to him and while he will be rooting for his own side, he will be keeping a keen eye on how the three other teams progress.

Simon Moore has featured for every team in the Championship play-offs

Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson has been a near-ever present between the posts at the Stadium of Light this season, playing in all but six of his side’s games in all competitions.

Playing back-up to him is the experienced Simon Moore, who was brought in from Coventry in the summer. While the 34-year-old has played just six times for the Black Cats, he is the subject of an incredible statistic in this year’s Championship play-offs.

Moore has featured for every side involved, playing for Sheffield United the most out of the four over the course of his 16 year career. He first played for Bristol City, making just 11 appearances on loan in 2013/14 before returning to Cardiff City.

From there he joined the Blades, even playing in the Premier League on two occasions before once again moving on as he became Coventry’s second-choice shot-stopper.

Nevertheless, his full focus will be on Sunderland and their challenge for a return to the top flight following their relegation in 2017.

Sunderland have a strong defensive record this season

The form of those in the Championship play-offs has fluctuated greatly over the last couple of months, but the Black Cats are in a worrying position right now having not picked up a win since April 5 when they beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0.

Defensively, they have fallen away from their previous strength, but over the course of 2024/25 they did record the fourth most clean sheets in the Championship.

Patterson, despite some shaky moments, has proven himself on multiple times and Le Bris has trusted the young shot-stopper to carry the team forwards.

Nevertheless, Moore will be of huge attention if he has to take the 24-year-old’s place at any time in the next few weeks and supporters of all three other sides will be keen to see how he gets on if he does find his way onto the pitch at any time.