Sunderland travel to Watford in the Championship on Saturday.
Although Sunderland are now mathematically safe from relegation yet unable to make the play-offs, these final two games of the season still feel very important.
And they’re important for a number of people too, perhaps more than most; Mike Dodds.
The Sunderland interim boss has received mixed reviews since replacing Michael Beale back in February.
He’s now won just two of his 12 games in charge compared to Beale’s four wins in 12 games in charge, following a 1-0 defeat at Millwall last time out.
Sunderland fans fume at Mike Dodds after Millwall defeat
Sunderland remain in 13th place of the Championship table, and arguably waiting for this season to end so that they can find a new manager and bring in some new players.
As for Dodds, though, this third spell as interim boss has been something of an audition.
He was given a slight chance of landing the permanent job, should he have prevailed, though it was also a chance to put himself in the shop window for other potential jobs he might apply for.
But the Millwall defeat piled pressure on Dodds, with Sunderland fans ruing the performance and also the tactics and shape from Dodds.
Mike Dodds provides Sunderland team news update ahead of Watford
And speaking to the press on Thursday, Dodds revealed that he’s not about to experiment with the team against Watford on Saturday, despite the lack of results lately.
Dodds also gave an update on the injury front, simply saying:
“Everyone is fine. The squad will be what it will be.”
Last time out, all of Dennis Cirkin, Dan Neil, Elliot Embleton, Niall Huggins, Nazariy Rusyn, and Jenson Seelt missed out.
One man may be eyeing rare start vs Watford
With no new players to add to this weekend’s squad, there may be very little changes to the XI, despite the result vs Millwall.
But one man who may well be eyeing a rare start for Sunderland is Corry Evans.
The Northern Irishman made his long-awaited return to Championship against Millwall last time out.
And Dodds may yet give him a starting spot as Sunderland are without Neil and in need of some class in the middle of the pitch.
Evans starting would also allow Jobe Bellingham to start up front instead of Bradley Dack.
Either way, Sunderland need both a result and a positive performance on Saturday.