Parky tells why he’s keeping faith with youngster Hume
Phil Parkinson insists that Denver Hume had earned the right to stay in the starting XI for the 2-2 draw with Gillingham.
TheSunderlandyoungster has been a vital player since Parkinsontookcharge,butafteradisappointingweekthere had been many calls for January signing Declan John to be given an opportunity.
John is yet to feature in a matchdaysquadsincesigning on deadline day and Hume repaid his manager’s faith with the assist that put his side in the lead.
Kyle Lafferty had done superbly to meet the cross from the 21-year-old and should already have scored earlier in the second half when he turned another good cross from Hume wide of the near post.
Despitecriticismofhisend product, Parkinson insists thatakeyissueforSunderland has actually been forwards and midfielders capitalising on the delivery the wing-back has produced.
“Denver has been a massive threat for us,” Parkinson said.
“Welookedatthestatsand his crossing recently; it's right up there.
“Occasionally,thefinalball is not as good as we want but he'sgettingbetterandthatand today he has produced a moment of real quality with that delivery.
“In recent games, he has put crosses into the box that have been top drawer and we haven't found the finish for them. I think he deserved to stay in the team.”
Hume was ultimately substituted for the third match in succession, but bringing on a morenaturallydefensiveplayer did not prove successful as thehomesideconcededinthe 96th minute.