Despite exiting the FA Cup against Gillingham on Tuesday, Phil Parkinson had nothing but positive things to say about Brandon Taylor. The 20-year-old started in Sunderland’s defensive lineup and played the whole 120 minutes of football.
The match was Taylor’s first senior appearance outside of the Leasing.com trophy. And while Parkinson was missing 10 first team players, it shows his great amount of trust in the young defender (safc.com). But it wasn’t just the manager who was impressed with the player. Some Sunderland fans suggested he was the only bright light in a team that is seriously underachieving from their expectations.
— Louis P. Cunningham (@LPC_ASCC) November 20, 2019
Only positive out of the most shambolic display by ANY SAFC team I can remember in over 50 years following our once proud club #WellDoneBrandon
— ® Gorman Stewart ©? (@1879SAFC) November 20, 2019
A few fans are worried that despite his impressive performance he will still be dropped on the weekend. They hope that at least he can get a spot on the bench.
Cue him been dropped for Saturdays game
— Adrian Magson (@AdrianMagson) November 20, 2019
Next game make sure he’s at least on the bench then
— Nathan Parr (@Paarylad614) November 20, 2019
However, others indicate that it’s not difficult to look impressive when playing for this Sunderland team. They also suggest that his good performances are wasted playing in a side that offers no inspiration.
Tbf its not hard to look good in this team. If you can kick a ball in a straight line you are better than most of our ‘best’ players. #safc
— Chris F (@Christianfors23) November 20, 2019
Yes he played exceptionally well but doesn’t help when the game played was flat and boring.
— lee ferdinando (@dumboVI) November 20, 2019
What do we think?
Hopefully, this performance is the first of many for Taylor. If he is given another opportunity by Phil Parkinson soon, he could eventually break into the first-team. That would be welcome news to fans who are begging for something new. Anything new. They are desperate.