Speaking after Sunderland’s triumph over Lincoln City, Phil Parkinson has declared that his side are beginning to pick up some real momentum.
What did he say?
The Black Cats produced a scintillating first-half display to lead by three goals at the break, before the visitors scored a consolation later on in the game. The result means that they have now picked up seven points from their last three league games, and are beginning to close in on a play-off place in League One.
And speaking after their 3-1 win, Parkinson acknowledged just how crucial taking all three points was, and delivered a major statement to the supporters about how the tides are changing at the Stadium of Light now.
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He said (as quoted by The Chronicle Live): “It was a big win for us today. After coming away from Fleetwood (on New Year’s Day) with a point when it probably should have been all three, it was important today that we got all three points and in the first half we blew Lincoln away.
“I knew this Christmas period was really key for us and there is some momentum building within the group – there is a tightness about them, a good spirit about them, and I think the supporters could see that today and certainly the ones who travelled away to Fleetwood could see it as well.”
Turning the corner
After going into Christmas in 15th place, Sunderland were staring down the very real prospect of yet another dark and miserable season in the north east of England. But how quickly things can change. They have now moved up to ninth place in the table, and are just a single point behind sixth-placed Peterborough United – a team they have a game in hand on.
But the really crucial thing for Sunderland is Parkinson’s verdict on how the fans are seeing first-hand the momentum that is beginning to get built. If the crowd can get on board with how the team are performing over these coming weeks and months, then they could well form an unstoppable duo. Picking up routine victories over the likes of Lincoln will only serve to help add to their growing belief.
Meanwhile, this Sunderland man could make his way to Blackpool in the January transfer window.