When a team is struggling, fans want to hear words of confidence from their managers. To know their gaffer has a plan is enough to instil them with confidence. Now, more than ever, Sunderland fans need to know that their manager is prepared.
But in preparation for their return leg against Gillingham in the FA Cup, Phil Parkinson said this:
“We didn’t get the job done against Gillingham at home and now we must go down there and win on Tuesday evening if we want to progress,” (Sunderland Twitter).
This statement baffled fans in its obscurity. They didn’t understand the purpose of the remark, as it offered no confidence as to how the team were going to approach the game. Fans were at least happy to know that Parkinson understood the format of knockout cup competitions. That was all they were hanging onto.
That is how cup replays work well done
— aaron zerben (@RealAlphaZero) November 18, 2019
Eh….really….was never sure on how a cup tie works
— KS1973 (@beerbelly1973) November 18, 2019
— Ben (@bp_safc16) November 18, 2019
Nowt like stating the obvious!
— Mr. GothikRokkit (@GothikRokkit) November 18, 2019
Genius
— michael aynsley (@artyspooner1974) November 18, 2019
One fan doesn’t even think Parkinson should be prioritising the cup, insisting that the youth should be playing instead.
Send the kids, lets stop messing around with the cups and concentrate on the league. It is the only thing that matters.
— Gavin Frater (@njmackem) November 18, 2019
What do we think?
Parkinson’s comments suggest he is drowning. Offering the fans nothing substantial to hold onto, his empty words indicate that he is just as lost as they are. Despite that, he is going to try and win. I guess that’s all you can ask if you’re a Sunderland fan.