PARKINSON VOWS TO SILENCE BOO-BOYS
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 held them to a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day.
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 ahead of today’s trip to Doncaster.
Parkinson has won just two of his nine league games in charge since taking over in October, form which has seen them slip down the table to 15th spot.
Angry supporters were calling for him to be sacked following the game, but Parkinson is convinced he can get things right.
Parkinson said: “It’s not ideal (to hear that). You wouldn’t choose to stand there and listen to it.
“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.
“Their keeper has made some terrific saves. We are very frustrated and it wasn’t through any 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 games, but remain well adrift of safety having been docked 12 points earlier in the campaign.
Next up for Bolton is a home game with Shrewsbury, and Hill, whose side could have won against Sunderland had Jon McLaughlin not made some strong saves, said: “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. 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.
“It’s a great point. Coming to a place like this will put you under pressure. They have the quality in the squad, never mind 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 that we fully deserved. I’m really pleased.”