Boss pleased with debut display from Sanderson
Phil Park in son says Dion Sanderson will only get better after making his Sunderland debut on Tuesday night.
Sanderson came into the side in place of Jordan Willis, who has had some fitness issues of late.
Rochdale looked to target the Wolves lo a nee in the opening stages, but the 20-year-old came through to deliver a solid performance.
Parkinson expects more from the defender as he gets minutes under his belt, but said there was evidence at the Crown Oil Arena to show why he had been so keen to bring him to the club on deadline day.
"Dion will get better and better,” Parkinson said.
"Everybody who knows centre-half positions knows that you need a centre-half who can join in play, to make the extra man in midfield, to create those overloads in wide areas, and he did that well. He will get fitter, but it was a good debut.
"To make our system work, we have to have players who can step in with the ball and create three-versus-twos in wide areas.
"It was a little bit of a gamble throwing him in, but he is an accomplished player who has played in the Championship, and he handled it well."
Park in son is hoping Sanderson has not picked up an injury, with the youngster at one stage struggling with a knee problem in the second half of the 2-2 draw. "I hope that's OK,” he said. "He just caught a nerve and couldn't feel his knee for a few seconds, which is always a worry.
"But it shows his toughness that he wanted to stay on, and we are pleased with him as a signing. He gives us good pace and athleticism."