This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Sky Sports pundit Keith Andrews has passed his judgement on the current situation at Sunderland.
Speaking on the broadcaster’s EFL Podcast, he claimed it was ridiculous that there were already calls for Phil Parkinson’s sacking, listing why he should stay at the Stadium of Light.
What’s he said?
Sunderland are on a wretched run of form at the moment and under Parkinson, they’ve won just two of 11 games.
Sacking Jack Ross was a bold call but it doesn’t appear as though the Black Cats hierarchy have got their next appointment right.
The former Bolton boss has struggled to implement his ideas and a 2-1 defeat to Burton last time out summed up what was wrong at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland’s fall from the Premier League has been rather hefty and they’re in real danger of seeping into Football League mediocrity.
That being said, there are reasons for Parkinson to be given more time. Last week, fans were calling for Kevin Phillips to be given the job instead.
However, Andrews has hinted that he at least deserves until the transfer window to put things right. The pundit said:
“Very early would be an understatement for me. I think it’s ridiculous. I can understand the fans’ frustrations who are watching it every week.
“He’s inherited a squad which in my opinion are not as good as what they were. Confidence is a big issue for the players, the expectations as we know playing for that football club are very, very high.”
“He hasn’t had a transfer window to stamp his authority on it in terms of the players he wants.
“We know it’s disappointing, I’m not painting a picture here where it’s been really good in previous weeks but can you realistically get rid of a manager that’s three points off the play-offs having come in and is still sussing out exactly what’s what.”
Wait until January
If results continue to deteriorate over the Christmas period a decision on Parkinson’s future would be justified.
They haven’t won since the start of November and the further they fall away from the playoffs, the worse the atmosphere surrounding the club is going to get.
However, a January transfer window could be exactly what they need. As Andrews notes, the former Bradford manager hasn’t had a chance to bring in his own players and instead, he’s been lumped with what was there before.
Recent results dictate that this squad isn’t good enough and finding a goal scorer over the winter months will be crucial.
Will Grigg has only scored one goal while there’s been a real lack of end product from elsewhere. Their top goalscorer so far is Chris Maguire but even he’s taken criticism from supporters.
Perhaps funds from Juan Sartori will help. Charlie Methven recently commented that he’d pumped more investment into the club in September but because the window was closed, we’re yet to see how much of an impact that will have on incoming players.
Meanwhile, check out why Parkinson needs to take a leaf out of Roy Keane’s book…