Phil Parkinson confident he can turn things around at Sunderland

Posted Friday, December 27, 2019 by PA

Phil Parkinson is convinced he is the right man to turn Sunderland’s fortunes around following calls for him to be sacked after bottom club Bolton drew 0-0 at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats were unable to find a breakthrough and lacked the quality in the final third to improve on a situation that leaves them seven points shy of the top six.

Parkinson has won just two of his nine league games in charge since taking over in October, form which has seen them fall down to 15th.

Angry supporters chanted “we want Parky out” and “you’re getting sacked in the morning” as well as calling for former striker Kevin Phillips to be brought in as his replacement.

Parkinson said: “It’s not ideal (to hear that). You wouldn’t choose to stand there and listen to that.

“But I understand the frustration of the supporters and I’ve got to concentrate on what I’ve got to do going into the next game at Doncaster.

“As a player or manager, your whole week revolves around working towards Saturday and getting a good result and that gives you a lift personally. I haven’t been able to do that in my time here but I’m confident I will.

“It is a concern. The expectation is for us to win today. It was not through a lack of effort or courage to keep playing, we just lacked that clinical moment of quality to get us off and running. Their keeper has made some terrific saves.

“We are very frustrated and it wasn’t through a lack of effort. They were doing the things we were looking to implement in training, with the shape we set out with, and when it comes down to dominance like 60-40 possession and 34 crosses, those sorts of statistics should result in a win.”

Bolton boss Keith Hill was far more pleased with the situation. His side have now lost just two of their last six but remain well adrift of safety having been docked 12 points earlier this campaign.

Hill, whose side could have won had Jon McLaughlin not made some strong saves, said: “Why would you give in? We have 25 games to play, we are not even through half a season and we will never throw in the towel.

“There is always something to fight for and that was reflected today. It is a difficult place to come to, they have a smashing team here which is low on confidence but 21 other teams would probably swap squads tomorrow.

“Great point, coming to a place like this will put you under pressure. They have the quality in the squad, never mind bench. Put McNulty on and leave Grigg on the bench.

“Operating at a club like this it can be a hindrance and we took advantage of that with the expectation. It wasn’t lucky. It was a hard-fought point and one we deserved. Really pleased.

“This is a massive club, with big expectations and they find themselves in League One. Expectation weighs heavy on some people and we have to take advantage of that.”