{"id":537267,"date":"2019-11-27T05:08:09","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T10:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=537267"},"modified":"2019-11-27T05:58:51","modified_gmt":"2019-11-27T10:58:51","slug":"phil-parkinsons-time-sunderland-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2019\/11\/27\/phil-parkinsons-time-sunderland-end\/","title":{"rendered":"Eleven Games and Phil Parkinson\u2019s Time at Sunderland Should Come to an End"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Sunderland<\/a> sacked Jack Ross<\/a> earlier this season, it appeared to be the correct decision. A change was needed if the Black Cats were to achieve automatic promotion, or so everyone thought. A successor with experience in promotion was sorted, and soon an appointment was made. However, after just 11 games, it appears that Phil Parkinson\u2019s time at Sunderland should come to an end.<\/p>\n

Phil Parkinson\u2019s Time at Sunderland Should Be at an End<\/h2>\n

Eleven Games, Two Wins<\/h3>\n

Since arriving, Phil Parkinson<\/a> has been in charge of 11 games. Just two of those have resulted in a victory. A 5-0 victory in his first home game against Tranmere Rovers<\/a> had fans hopeful of a successful season. An unconvincing win, again at home, against Southend United came soon after. It was unconvincing, but it was a win and the Black Cats were heading in the right direction. This was as good as it got.<\/p>\n

Their latest game saw a defeat and another poor display against Burton Albion, leaving them 11th in the League One table.<\/p>\n

Knocked Out of Three Cup Competitions<\/h3>\n

Parkinson has seen his side get knocked out of three cup competitions. Firstly, they were defeated at Oxford United<\/a> on penalties in the Carabao Cup. Two defeats at the hands of Leicester City\u2019s U21’s and League Two<\/a> strugglers Scunthorpe United saw the team exit the Leasing.com trophy with a whimper.<\/p>\n

Next up was defeat to Gillingham in the FA Cup first round after a replay. The defeat meant Sunderland<\/a> would exit football\u2019s most famous cup competition at the first round for the first time in their history. Not only were the team defeated in these games, but they also did so without a fight and, in some cases, without a shot on target.<\/p>\n

Performances Hit Rock Bottom<\/h3>\n

Performances, since Parkinson arrived, have been a huge concern for fans. Defeats can be forgiven; however, performances, apart from the game against Tranmere, have seen the team look anything but winners. The past two home games have seen performances hit an all-time low.<\/p>\n

The players appear to be devoid of confidence and ideas. Shots on target have been few and far between, as have chances created. The team have struggled to do the basics correctly with mistakes happening far too frequently. Parkinson, while on the touchline, appears to have little in the way of ideas on how to change his team during the game or to encourage them.<\/p>\n

Fans Turn on Parkinson After Latest Disappointment<\/h3>\n

The defeat against Burton was the last straw for many in attendance at the Stadium of Light. Shouts of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ were aimed at the manager and ‘you\u2019re not fit to wear the shirt’ were aimed at the players.<\/p>\n

After game, Parkinson felt the reaction of the fans was “understandable”.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s understandable. Conceding 70 minutes there\u2019s time left, plenty of time left and we didn\u2019t show any bravery after that. You need conviction and belief and we didn\u2019t show that.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the last quarter of the game we were nowhere near good enough and if I was sat in the stand I wouldn\u2019t accept that. Wearing the Sunderland shirt you need the courage to play and we didn\u2019t have that. We looked aimless in the last spell of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Should Parkinson’s Time at Sunderland End?<\/h3>\n

Parkinson\u2019s short time at Sunderland could be coming to an end. In a recent Twitter poll<\/a>, 90% believed it was time he left. Sometimes, managerial appointments just don\u2019t work out as expected. On the evidence since the former Bolton Wanderers manager was appointed, this could be one of those times.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>