This week Phil Parkinson and Sunderland’s executive director Charlie Methven were in the dragon’s den. They sat down with angry Sunderland fans who wanted answers. The evening’s proceedings were tweeted by Sunderland fan @Kingy78_. And while the majority of the answers given and statements made by the pair were ill-received by Sunderland fans, there was one topic that supporters could get behind.
According to both Parkinson and Methven, they have plans to extend Luke O’Nien’s contract. Many fans see him as the club’s best player and future captain. One supporter thinks that if the club recruits the right players to play around him he could lead the club back up to the Championship.
Should be the next club captain after leadbitter goes, and everything built around him
— Andy Walmsley (@WalmsleySE9) November 21, 2019
One of our best players
— Sunderland news and banter page (@sunderlandafc11) November 21, 2019
Great news made massive improvements since coming to the club should be our captain. Will only keep improving and more then capable of taking step up to championship
— only1kilbane (@only1kilbane) November 22, 2019
— Adam Curry (@adamc80) November 21, 2019
However, there are still a few fans who are not convinced by the defender. They claim that if the club plans to build a team around someone as mediocre as O’Nien then it just accentuates the club’s current problems. Another only sees him as a League One player.
Build team around him ? No wonder the clubs knackered. He’s chronic
— Sandancer KCH (@sandancer18) November 21, 2019
Why??? He’s a league one player
— David Hindmarsh (@DavidHindmarsh7) November 21, 2019
What do we think?
For the most part, this news was well received by Sunderland fans. There are a few who are underwhelmed with the mediocrity, but they were a small few. Right now Sunderland needs to be praising their better-performing players. There aren’t many though (WhoScored.com).