Half-time message stirs squad into life to put Ipswich on back foot

Phil Parkinson has revealed his half-time message to Sunderland’s squad – which inspired their drastically improved second half performance.

After a fairly limp first half display, the Black Cats were quick out of the blocks following the interval and carved open their visitors on several occasions as they sought a breakthrough.

And while Sunderland were made to wait for the breakthrough–withChris Maguire’ s 81st minute strike proving the difference–Park in son was delightedto see the side took heed of his half-time message, as he urged Sunderland to sharpen up their play.

Indeed, Parkinson was keen to see his side get on the front foot after the restart, after an opening 45 minutes in which they allowed Ipswich the chance to dominate possession for large spells.

“I just felt we were a bit slow in our build-up in the first half, we were taking too long,” said the Sunderland boss.

“They were clearly stepping on us to stop us rolling it out the back and we need to identify that quicker.

“We needed to go and play in their half and that's what we did, and all of a sudden they drop in and then you can throw it out quicker.

“We played at a better speed, and I said to the lads that home or away - but certainly at home-we need to get team son the back foot.

“We didn't quite implement that in the first period but switched onto that in the second half.”

Meanwhile, Parkinson hailed his ‘excellent’ central defenders with Bailey Wright producing a superb home debut performance, with Jordan Willis and Tom Flanagan excellent alongside him.

Flanagan was in for Joel Lynch, missing with a rib injury with the club also following the concussion protocol after he was taken from the pitch on a stretcher against Portsmouth.

Chris Maguire will have the headlines after his brilliant strike nine minutes from time to win it for Sunderland but the defence are worthy of praise too following another shut-out.

Parkinson said: “I was very pleased forth el ads at the back, the back three were excellent.”

Wright, on loan for the seasonfrom Bristol City, was making his home de but.

Parkinson added: “Bailey brings what you saw; good decision making, leadership quality, calmness under pressure .”

The Black Cats host Rochdale tomorrow evening.