League One salary cap ‘levels’ the playing field

SUNDERLAND manager Phil Parkinson believes the salary cap imposed in League One this summer has levelled the playing field this season.

And that means that more games will be close-run affairs.

The Black Cats boss knows the 1-1 draw with Fleetwood Town on Friday night will do nothing to stem the tide of criticism that has been aimed his way in recent weeks, with many fans believing that Sunderland should be turning in better performances and scoring more goals.

But Parkinson pointed to the financial restrictions with the EFL which has created more of a level playing field.

“Games are going to be tight,” he said. “I think that because of the stature of our club, there can be a feeling we should be winning games three or four-nil all the time, but the salary cap has levelled the playing field.

“I don’t think there’s enough understanding of that – not our fans necessarily, but in football in general.

“We have now got the same potential budget as Accrington Stanley.

“We wanted to bring in more players and strengthen in different areas, but we couldn’t do it, and with all the attention on coronavirus, the salary cap kind of went under the radar a little bit.

“I’d love to say we will turn up every week and win four or five-nil, but other teams have got just as much money as us to spend on player wages.

“We’re going to have to fight tooth and nail for every point.”