George Dobson reveals how he has avoided a Sunderland suspension - with help from Phil Parkinson

George Dobson has revealed how a meeting with Phil Parkinson has helped him avoid a tenth yellow card.
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The Sunderland midfielder has picked up nine cautions already this season and, if he picks up another within the next four games, Dobson will be forced to serve a two-game suspension.

A ban looked inevitable three weeks ago, but the 22-year-old has since navigated his way through five games without receiving a booking - thanks in part to a meeting with Parkinson in which the manager urged him to bring a ‘calmness’ to his game after he accrued that ninth booking.

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And Dobson insists the prospect of a suspension is not playing on his mind ahead of a crucial run of fixtures, which could make or break Sunderland’s promotion hopes.

George Dobson is one booking away from a Sunderland suspensionGeorge Dobson is one booking away from a Sunderland suspension
George Dobson is one booking away from a Sunderland suspension

Indeed, he is keen to ensure a looming ban does not affect his style of play.

“There's four games left now and I'm not really thinking about it,” he admitted.

“When I got to the ninth yellow card the gaffer spoke to me and just said to try and play with a bit more calmness and that's just what I've tried to implement into my game since he said that.

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“If I need to go into a tackle obviously I still will, but it's just been at the minute that there hasn't been an occasion where I've mistimed one and got the card.

“So yeah, hopefully for me personally, obviously, I don't want to miss a game, I can ride through these next few. Touch wood.”