Sunderland display gives Parky food for thought
particular, he was left frustrated with the 'slackness' that came to typify Sunderland's performance after surging into a 4-1 win.
To an extent this was to be expected, with a usually solid defensive unit taking on a decidedly makeshift look.
Carlisle had exploited that in the opening stages, with the livelyEthanWalkercausingreal problems with his pace both on the ball and off it.
Given the lively displays of Brandon Hanlan and Siriki Dembele, you do wonder whether teams may begin to see this as the best way to get at a typically physical and resolute Sunderland backline.
There were, though, some very encouraging signs in some attacking positions and it's here that Parkinson will have been most satisfied.
Chris Maguire seized his moment, called up to the side after a shin injury meant that WillGriggwasdisappointingly unable to press his claims.
Parkinson has laid down the gauntlet to Maguire in recent weeks, making it clear that he has real competition from Scowen.
Two goals and two assists was the perfect response. To his credit, his performance was also full of the aggressive pressing that Parkinson demands from his attacking players.
In two academy prospects handed a real chance, there was also encouragement.
Undoubtedly, Dan Neil tired in the second half, just losing the composure in possession that typifies his game. Yet in the first half there was more than enough to show that this is an 18-year-old capable of producing both the physicality and quality needed in league football.
The performance from Jack Diamond was even more eye-catching. The 20-year-old is a thrilling player to watch, relentlessly taking the attacking option in possession. Parkinson noted that he can improve his consistency, particularly when it comes to his end product.
In what is a strong and relatively deep squad, both have a task on their hands to force their way into the senior side. The easiest response to calls for more minutes is to say, at this stage, ahead of who?
Yet in the congested schedule ahead, both have shown Parkinson can trust them and Diamond in particular has pressed his claims with an excellent start to the U23 campaign.
It is a risk to play an inexperienced and attack-minded player at wing-back, but Diamond draws fouls, commits players and creates space.
Particularlyinhomegames where defences sit deep, who is to say that won't prove to be a very useful weapon at some stage?
It’s all the more thoughtprovoking when the incumbent in that position, Luke O'Nien, delivered a quite remarkable display of his own.
Left centre-back is about as far away from home as he could possibly himself, but he took on the challenge with relish and thrived.
It's a role he's unlikely to reprise, but there is nothing stopping him dropping into the right of that back three, should Parkinson want, for example, to throw on Diamond in search of a goal.
None of these performances will fundamentally alter Parkinson's preferred shape or approach, but he craves options and these two EFL Trophy games have suggested he has them.
Up front, question marks remain and many supporters would like to see one last foray into the market. Parkinson's comments thus far have suggested that is unlikely.
Charlie Wyke battled back well from a poor first half here, registering a clever assist. And while his finish was simple, it was to his credit that he was so alert to capitalise.
The key moment, though, perhaps came in stoppage time, Danny Graham producing a sublime assist to tee up Diamond for his first senior goal. Graham, you suspect, is the player in possession for the time being.