Little room for error as Parkinson is well aware of pressure to deliver

Phil Parkinson is all too aware of how high the pressure to deliver at Sunderland is this season.

An experienced manager, Parkinson knew when he was appointed that promotion is all that counts.

Su n d e rl a n d fe l l s h o r t last season, not helped by the suspension of the league campaign, but they were by no means certa in play-off contenders anyway.

Now in their third season in the third tier, the pressure has cranked up further.

A strong start is key and dropping two points at home on the opening day was disappointing, adding further pressure on the trip to Oxford United.

A sign of the pressure on Park inson came on social media when the team news landed. While social media d o e s n't re p re s e nt th e f u l l views of the fanbase, it does help gauge the mood among supporters.

And the decision to start G ra nt L e a d b i tt e r i n s t e a d of Josh Scowen for the suspended George Dobson did n o t go d o w n w e l l . At a l l . T h e re we re a l s o que s t i o n marks over the decision to drop Will Grigg for Danny Graham, and concern over th e l ac k o f you n g s te r s o n the bench – Dan Neil and

Jack Diamond still waiting for their opportunity.

With strong competition and a lack of injuries, Neil and Diamond may have to wait a little longer.

The decision to start Leadbitter was a bold one, but Parkinson was confident he would help bring control and ultimately that call proved correct, Sunderland r u n n i n g out 2 - 0 w i n n e r s thanks to a much-improved second half.

Eve r y d e c i s i o n Pa rk i nson makes will be under intense scrutiny. There is little room for error with League One set to be even more competitive than last year.

I p s w ic h Tow n , L i n c o l n C i ty a n d Hu l l C i ty s ett i n g the early pace.

I t's a m a r a t h o n n o t a sprint as everyone will keep telling you, but that doesn't lessen the pressure on Parkinson, who knows Sunderl a n d mu s t e n joy a s tro n g s t a r t ove r th e o p e n i n g 1 0 games.

T h e re w i l l b e l i tt l e p a - tience should Sunderland's form stutter given the high pressure on promotion. Another campaign in the fourth tier is unthinkable.

Parkinson remains confident he has what it takes to lead the club to promotion. There is little room for error.