'I think he will feel frustrated': Our Sunderland writers deliver their verdicts on Phil Parkinson's big contract calls

But did Sunderland make the right call, or will there be any decisions that they come to regret?

Our Sunderland AFC writers Richard Mennear (RM) and Mark Donnelly (MD) have given their take on Parkinson’s big calls:

JOEL LYNCH

RM: No surprise to see Lynch among the names released by Sunderland.

His spell at the Stadium of Light was mixed and Phil Parkinson will probably feel there will be better options out there given the high number of players set to be free agents this summer.

Sunderland are currently light on CB options with Lynch, Jack Baldwin and Alim Ozturk all released, clearly an area Parkinson wants to strengthen and have different options.

Personally, I would have retained Ozturk as I think he has rarely let the team down when he did get a chance but it was no surprise to see Lynch depart.

MD: This decision came as little surprise.

Lynch was in and out of the side under Phil Parkinson and it was telling that Bailey Wright was immediately preferred upon his January arrival.

Lynch never seemed to fully settle on Wearside and while his performances were steady, they were far from spectacular.

His exit is perhaps a sign that Parkinson believes there are better options available this summer - and hopefully we will see a marked improvement to the Black Cats’ backline.

ALIM OZTURK

RM: Sad to see Ozturk go. He did divide opinions at times but rarely did he let the side down when he was given an opportunity.

It always felt like Ozturk was the first defender to be dropped despite how he was playing so I think he will feel frustrated overall at his Stadium of Light spell.

Given Sunderland released Baldwin and Lynch I felt Ozturk could have been offered a new one-year deal but clearly Parkinson feels there are better options.

If Tom Flanagan does commit and Bailey Wright returns then Sunderland will still need another centre-back on top of that.

MD: He split opinion among Sunderland supporters, but I was always a fan of Ozturk.

While questions would be asked about his ability to step-up to the Championship should Sunderland gain promotion, he was a reliable enough option in League One and could have provided some much-needed cover next season.

Parkinson has frequently hailed Tom Flanagan’s versatility, though, so it was perhaps inevitable it would be the Northern Irish international given the nod over Ozturk when it came to dishing out new deals.

Again, this is hopefully a decision that indicates Sunderland are confident that they can bring in some better players this summer.

JACK BALDWIN

RM: It was clear from last September that Baldwin’s spell on Wearside was coming to an end.

He had fallen down the pecking order with Jordan Willis, Flanagan, Lynch, Ozturk and then Wright all ahead of him.

No surprise to see his name on the released list, I wish him well for the future though, a good pro and character and one of many that gave their all when they did play.

Sadly, that wasn’t quite at the level that Sunderland required.

MD: Similarly to Lynch, Baldwin’s departure was one many had seen coming.

Shipped out on loan to Salford, the centre back had fallen well down the pecking order - with Parkinson’s decision not to recall him in January, despite defensive resources being stretched, perhaps indicating that the writing was already on the wall.

He will no doubt be an asset to another club in the third tier, and it’s a real shame things didn’t work out for Baldwin on Wearside - as he’s someone who genuinely had the club at heart.

ETHAN ROBSON

RM: A real shame to see Robson depart, I don’t feel like he was ever given a proper chance at Sunderland.

Robson should have been sent out on loan much earlier in his career to help aid his development.

On the odd occasion he was given a chance, you could see his quality. At League One level I think he would certainly have done a job.

A local lad who wanted to play for the club but was never really given the chances to do so.

A real shame and again I’d wish him well, I’m sure there will be plenty of Football League interest in him.

MD: Robson’s future was one I could have seen going either way.

With so much uncertainty in the transfer market at present, keeping hold of an academy product who could have provided a strong option in the third tier might not have been a bad bit of business.

He showed flashes of brilliance in the games he did play for the Black Cats, while his loan spells at Dundee and Grimsby underlined his pedigree.

Injuries, though, proved his downfall. They came at crucial moments and stunted his progression.

Now for Robson, regular first-team football is imperative. Would that have come at Sunderland? Most likely not.

He’s already got a long list of clubs chasing his signature, and the key thing for the 23-year-old will be to find somewhere he can play regularly.

DUNCAN WATMORE

RM: The writing had probably been on the wall for some time with it always seemingly unlikely Watmore would be offered new terms.

A superb professional and great character to have around the club, every manager he worked under spoke highly of him and his attitude.

To come back from two serious knee injuries shows his strength of character but the time had probably come for both parties to move on.

I’m sure there will be interest in Watmore at Championship and upper League One level.

Sunderland can now look to reinvest his wages into strengthening the squad and there is a huge rebuild needed at the Stadium of Light this summer.

MD: I know they say you can’t afford to get too sentimental in football, but I was genuinely saddened to see Watmore depart.

While his exit was a predictable one, it makes it no less disappointing to see a player who genuinely cared about this club and city leave.

In an era where we’ve seen any number of players show disregard for Sunderland, simply coming to pick up a pay-cheque, Watmore was the antithesis of them all.

He cared about the club that gave him his first chance in the professional game, and gave plenty back to a city that welcomed him with open arms.

The injuries were unfortunate, but hopefully it’s all the good Watmore did that will be remembered.

I’m sure plenty of supporters will join me in wishing him the best for the future.