Behind the scenes at Rochdale 2-2 Sunderland: Phil Parkinson's telling Jack Diamond call as Chris Magure goes the extra mile

Thousands of Sunderland fans will have watched the visit to Rochdale via live streams – but there are those few moments that the cameras don’t capture.
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We take a look at some of the moments you might have missed from the stalemate at Spotland – from a telling call to a crucial header:

CHRIS MAGUIRE’S EXTRA WORK

Phil Parkinson has routinely hailed the additional work done by Chris Maguire last year in order to improve his physical condition - and the Black Cats have reaped the benefits on more than one occasion over the last twelve months.

Behind the scenes at Rochdale 2-2 SunderlandBehind the scenes at Rochdale 2-2 Sunderland
Behind the scenes at Rochdale 2-2 Sunderland
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And the attacking midfielder looks keen to continue going the extra mile as he bids to add that much-craved consistency to his performances.

Following the completion of Sunderland’s warm-up at Rochdale, and as the rest of the team retreated to the warmth of the dressing room, Maguire stayed out on the pitch with assistant manager Steve Parkin.

The work they did was nothing too extravagant – Parkin simply threw Maguire the ball before the forward returned it, allowing him to get his touch in order – but it was interesting in the sense that we haven’t seen that happen in recent weeks.

If it’s an attempt to benefit from any kind of marginal gain then long may it continue, because any advantage – no matter how small – could be key over the course of the season.

THE EXTRA MAN

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While only 18 players can be named in a match day squad, it’s not uncommon for clubs to travel with an extra man - in case of injury or any unforeseen circumstances.

And it was perhaps telling that the additional player Sunderland took to Rochdale was Jack Diamond.

While many were disappointed not to see him named among the substitutes, Parkinson’s decision to travel with the academy graduate – rather than the likes of Callum McFadzean – perhaps suggests that Diamond is viewed as the next in line for a place in the squad.

But it’s a difficult dynamic for Sunderland and Diamond to balance. While the Black Cats are naturally keen to keep a player who they know can be an asset, Diamond is in need of games at this stage of his career.

One to watch with interest in January, perhaps.

A CHANGE OF FOCUS

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It was obvious in the opening stages that Rochdale had a clear target in mind.

While they have become renowned for their possession-based style under Brian Barry-Murphy, they weren’t afraid to mix it up against Sunderland.

And that was certainly the case in the opening 20 minutes as the Dale went long – and targeted the inexperienced Dion Sanderson.

On numerous occasions the home side sent raking balls into the right channel in a bid to get at the Black Cats’ new boy, who was making his debut for the club.

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There was one long pass, via the boot of Aaron Morley, that picked out Jake Beesley in acres of space, but Sanderson dealt well with most of what was thrown at him.

Rochdale then changed their focus and, as we have seen many teams attempt to do already this term, tried to his Sunderland on their left flank.

And they had joy down this flank, with both their goals coming via deliveries from the left.

Questions will be asked as to whether the Black Cats could have done more to stop the crosses, and this will undoubtedly be an area of focus for Parkinson ahead of Gillingham.

THE CELEBRATIONS THAT WEREN’T

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While Sunderland arguably didn’t do enough to win the game, they did come awfully close to a winner in the dying stages.

A sweetly-struck Max Power effort came back off the crossbar, with Danny Graham’s follow-up well-saved by Gavin Bazunu.

There was little more Power could have done with his effort, which looked destined for the top corner before crashing off the bar at the last second.

Some of the Sunderland bench were already on their feet preparing to celebrate, before the shot ricocheted back to Graham.

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It was a moment of real quality from Power, and a strike that probably deserved a goal.

But whether Sunderland deserved that goal is another debate.

DANNY GRAHAM’S KEY HEADER

Before that header, Graham made another key contribution – as he was preparing to enter the fray.

It came at a time where Sunderland were in the ascendancy and, while not posing any serious questions of opposition stopper Bazunu, were applying plenty of pressure.

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And as Rochdale smashed the ball out of play inside the Sunderland half, they sensed a chance to catch their breath and regroup.

But not on Graham’s watch. He rose and connected with the clearance with a firm header, straight into the arms of Conor McLaughlin – allowing him to quickly restart the play and ensure that Sunderland remained on the front foot.

That kind of quick-thinking can prove key.

SKELETONS IN THE STAND

Yes, you read that right…

While last night the focus was on the field, Rochdale are getting inventive this week as they look to find ways to keep fans engaged during the period where they can’t attend games.

And that includes running Halloween-themed stadium tours, complete with skeletons placed in the stand, pumpkins along the press benches and cobwebs (artificial ones, it must be said) in the corridors.

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It certainly made for a strange atmosphere – although that’s something that can be said of all games played behind closed doors.

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