‘I’m brave enough to say I disagreed’: Tom Flanagan on being dropped and the key message Phil Parkinson had for him

The Northern Irish international was forced off through injury during the 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in January and - while he shook off that knock - was forced to wait until the visit of Ipswich Town in February for his next start.

In his absence, Joel Lynch and latterly Bailey Wright shone - but it’s a selection call that Flanagan didn’t necessarily agree with.

“I had a period out of the team, which I’m brave enough to say I disagreed with, under this manager, and the last manager,” said the centre back.

“But ultimately, it’s their decision and I worked hard to get back into the team and I’m reaping the rewards now.”

So what did Parkinson say when Flanagan expressed his disappointment?

“He just explained the system and stuff like that.

“I didn’t feature again for a little while and it was just kind of a fair game situation. He said that Lynch’s come on, he’s played well, and he secured the win. And he replaced me in the following games.”

Parkinson has shown faith in his team selections for the most part during his time on Wearside, rarely changing shape or personnel when things are going well.

And while some supporters crave consistency, others are calling for changes - something with leaves Flanagan perplexed.

“The manager is big on sticking with the team that’s winning, and I think a lot of people now saying that they want the team to change.

“But previously they were saying they didn’t want the team to change, so what is it that you want? I find that hard to understand.

“Ultimately, that’s the manager's decision and he’s big enough and brave enough to make that decision and stick by it, and I think he’s shown that to everyone.”

Flanagan ultimately returned to the side - with injuries to Wright and Lynch presenting an opportunity for the 28-year-old.

But key to that recall was an early message Parkinson delivered - hard work will reap you rewards.

It’s a philosophy that applies across the squad, with all players knowing they stand a chance should they excel in training.

Flanagan took that onboard and endeavoured to show his worth behind the scenes - rather than sulk and continue to question Parkinson’s decisions.

It’s an attitude that the centre back believes is shared throughout the squad - with competition in all departments proving a driving force as Sunderland look to battle their way back into the play-off places.

“I’d like to think the manager would say how hard I worked and that I had the right attitude.

“He knew I was disappointed. I didn’t let it show and I worked really hard.

“I think when you’re in a squad environment, someone moping around or being a bit negative, it can spread quite quickly.

“So I knew that there would be no legs in that. So get your head down and work hard.

“Everyone looks at it that way now, and I think that’s certainly something the manager’s really brought in now, along with the assistant and the other coaches. You work hard and you reap the rewards.

“There might be a time where he changes the team, and the boys who’ve been working really hard day to day might get themselves back in the team.

“That’s how the squad works and that’s how we build ourselves and push ourselves forward.

“Ultimately the people who are on the bench and not making the squad, they push the team who are playing because everyone’s looking over their shoulder and I think that’s so big at the minute.”

“I know what the manager looks at, and he looks at people working hard day to day and that’s what happened watching me and that’s why I got back in the team,” he continued.

“So when I see them working hard I know I have to perform more.

“So that’s something the managers bought in which is really good to be honest, I think the standard of training is so high at the minute because everyone knows that he will give people a chance.”

Parkinson has previously held Flanagan up as the ideal model of how hard work will ultimately reap rewards under the current regime at the Academy of Light.

"Tom in the last month or so has taken his game to another level," said the Sunderland boss in February.

"That is by identifying what he needs to do to have a good game, and training properly.

"His standard of training has gone up and he is reaping the benefits of that on a match day. He is desperate to do well, he is a good professional and I am pleased with his performances.

“The lads who aren’t in the team, you are judged as a person when you are not in the team.

"You don’t want players to be moping around, you want them on top of their levels even when they are not in the team. I believe that."