Before Sunderland’s match with Burton Albion, Phil Parkinson spoke in a press conference about the team’s 10-day break following the match. The manager spoke about the match itself and suggested that the club were hopeful for all three points. He believes that the team will enjoy the rest.
Fans were concerned with the manager’s comments. There were multiple things that troubled them. The first was that he was only ‘hopeful’ of picking up three points. They believe that a match against Burton should be a guaranteed win.
Hopefully!! No hopefully about it. We need to win end of and need the players to start showing a will to win.
— Ian (@IanIanrobrich) November 25, 2019
Burton will be “hopeful “ for a point. PP should be saying that nothing less than a win is unacceptable
— Ian Edmundson (@ihedmundson) November 25, 2019
Other fans were confused as to why the team needed another rest. They claim that the squad hasn’t been working hard enough to need a rest in the first place.
10-day break. They have been on a break all season.
— Les Roper (@les_roper) November 25, 2019
Another fan believes that a 10-day gap is a perfect time to replace a manager. They want someone else brought in during that period. The gap between games would provide the organisation with a transition period between managers.
10 day break you say?
Good time to make a manager change then— Wearside2warwickshire (@Wearside2warwi1) November 25, 2019
After this a 10 day break thank God
— xJPJx142 (@KINGMAGUIRE1) November 25, 2019
“Hopefully” for you Sir.
— Harry Eddowes (@harryeddowes) November 25, 2019
What do we think?
While he is probably just throwing caution to the wind, supporters would like to see more confidence from Parkinson. They want him to be ruthless in the press conference and back his team to the hilt. Right now, however, it appears as though he is giving up before the game has even kicked off.