Parkinson praises Sunderland’s cool heads after patient win

Posted Sunday, February 23, 2020 by PA

Phil Parkinson felt Sunderland were rewarded for their patience against Bristol Rovers as three late goals saw his side pick up another victory in their charge for promotion.

His team were in control for much of the contest at the Stadium of Light but while they created scoring opportunities, it was not until the latter stages – against 10 men – that they troubled goalkeeper Jamal Blackman.

Two goals in quick succession by Lynden Gooch and Charlie Wyke put the Black Cats in command, with Luke O’Nien finishing off the scoring to complete a 3-0 victory and take Sunderland up to fourth.

“I thought we played well in the first half, we just couldn’t get a goal,” said Parkinson.

“You don’t always get everything your own way in football, sometimes it doesn’t fall for you.

“We reiterated at half-time, keep moving the ball quickly, keep switching it, keep getting into areas where we know we could hurt Bristol Rovers, keep knocking on the door and eventually it’ll come.”

Referee Ben Toner made a number of questionable decisions during the first half, including turning down a strong Sunderland penalty appeal.

Parkinson added: “The other thing we spoke about was keeping cool heads. Everyone was getting frustrated with some of the decisions out there, and we don’t want that to detract from what we’ve got to do on the football pitch.

“I was so pleased with the lads for the way they did that in second period, and it was one of their players who lost his cool and took them down to 10 men.”

Rovers’ Abu Ogogo was dismissed in the 59th minute following an off-the-ball incident with Chris Maguire, and Parkinson added: “Football is about having cool heads and concentrating on the process of how we’re going to win this game of football, make sure we don’t become frantic, start having shots from 40 yards or try to dribble through the whole team on your own because you’re not going to win like that.

“It’s about making sure we concentrate on the patterns of play that we’ve been working on and getting into the areas which we knew could hurt Bristol.”

Rovers boss Ben Garner was frustrated with Toner, claiming Wyke’s goal should not have been allowed as Tony Craig suffered a head wound in the build-up.

Garner was booked for his protests and he said: “The second goal, I absolutely cannot fathom.

“The referee has told me it wasn’t a clash of heads. I’ve asked for an apology because it’s a very clear clash of heads and the game should stop straight away.

“He’s booked me for saying it’s a clash of heads.

“The rules are the rules, it’s a clash of heads, it’s dangerous, Tony Craig has got a huge lump on the side of the head.”