Sunderland’s string of bad results continued last night in the EFL Trophy, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe United. The problems started when Luke O’Nien received a red card after giving away a penalty in the 65th minute. Lee Novak converted the penalty and Sunderland conceded two more goals in the 89th and 90th minute.
A loss in itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Phil Parkinson’s team. Fewer fixtures going forward could provide Sunderland with some much-needed breaks in their already busy fixture list. It was, however, a shame for Sunderland fans to see their Black Cats dismantled at the hands of a team who currently sit 21st in the Football League Two (Sky Sports).
Fans were naturally upset as it was, but the pre-match comments made by assistant manager Steven Parkin just added insult to injury. After the match, these Sunderland fans took the opportunity to reflect on what Parkin said.
“We go to Scunthorpe to win, it’s that simple,” said Parkin prior to the meeting, as relayed by Roker Report.
The supporters don’t want to see the management team talking-the-talk if they can’t walk-the-walk. The result just wasn’t good enough for them.
Well that backfired badly
— @safc90 (@safc902) November 12, 2019
maybe he can take a walk over the gauntlet with his mate, Parky and never come back
— Dean Cummings (@Deanospamoni85) November 12, 2019
No more ‘thrown gauntlets’..’rallying calls’…’dusting ourselves down’s…you are not walking the walk…
Just talking the talk…(if you like straplines)
— Graham Dunn (@GrahamDunn2) November 13, 2019
That’s a disgraceful result
— SteveSeagull (@StevenScorriewk) November 13, 2019
The banter era… it never ended
— Nick (@nicholaswilso11) November 12, 2019
Some fans blamed the players, saying they’re not fighting for the manager. Another suggested that Sunderland’s previous manager Jack Ross would be savouring this moment. It’s hard to imagine anyone who has any fondness at all for Sunderland would find this enjoyable though.
not playing for this manager then. didn’t think they would tbh.
— Ryan Close (@RyanClose19) November 12, 2019
I bet Jack Ross is having a quote laugh at all of this
— Tim Harding (@timhardinguk) November 12, 2019
What do we think?
The results on their own are enough to upset any Sunderland fan, but the comments from the management team are pushing them over the edge. They don’t appreciate the fighting words of encouragement when they are followed by lifeless performances. The clock is ticking for Parkinson and his management team. He’s running out of time, already it appears.