Exclusive: Sunderland sent clear Sheffield United, Kieffer Moore warning | OneFootball

Don Goodman names the man that Sunderland need to keep an eye on ahead of their play-off final against Sheffield United.

As Sunderland and Sheffield United prepare for the Championship play-off final, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has warned the Black Cats about one Blades player they must keep quiet at Wembley.

"They couldn't handle him" - Goodman highlights Kieffer Moore's impact

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Goodman was asked who he believes Sunderland need to be most wary of ahead of the Championship play-off final.

"I think the answer to which Sheffield United player Sunderland need to be aware of is Kieffer Moore," said Goodman. "I think you only have to look at the two play-off semi-finals against Bristol City. They couldn't handle him."

"They couldn't handle his physical presence; he was just an absolute handful."

Netting the first goal in the second leg to give Sheffield United a 4-0 aggregate lead against Bristol City, Moore was central to the Blades' commanding victory, utilising his physicality and experience to perfection.

Moore's absence proved costly during Sheffield United's promotion run-in

Goodman pointed to a key stretch in the campaign where Sheffield United's promotion hopes faltered, believing that Moore's absence from the starting lineup may have played a part.

"It was interesting to note the week that cost them any chance of automatic promotion, where they lost to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth. Kieffer Moore didn't start any of those games," Goodman observed.

"But he was brought into the fold against Burnley, in a massive game, and he acquitted himself well."

While at 32, Moore may not be a prolific goalscorer anymore, his link-up play and ability to hold the ball up have made him a very useful option for managers across the Championship, and that has been the case for Chris Wilder during Sheffield United's run-in and subsequent two-legged play-off semi-final affair.

Should Sheffield United go up to the Premier League via the play-offs, Moore would achieve his second promotion in successive years after he played a part in Ipswich's ascent to the Premier League twelve months ago.

Sunderland must prepare for a physical battle

Heading into the all-crucial play-off final at Wembley, Sunderland must be aware of Moore's presence alongside the overall quality possessed by Sheffield United off the back of their Premier League relegation last term.

With Sunderland in mind, head coach Regis Le Bris has been able to add a great sense of maturity with the smart additions of Wilson Isidor, Chris Mepham, Alan Browne, and Enzo Le Fee, whom Le Bris had worked with in a prior stint at Lorient. All of this experience and game management will be crucial against the Championship's third-placed outfit.

After seeing off Coventry in dramatic fashion earlier this week, attention turns to facing a Sheffield United possessing both fantastic technical and physical quality.