The inside track on Phil Parkinson’s tactical evolution at Sunderland - and the big changes made since Jack Ross’ departure

The end of their 2018/19 campaign had been ravaged with defensive errors, but Jack Ross’ decision to switch to a back three looked to have paid dividends.

Yet three games into the League One campaign, the system was shelved. The Black Cats subsequently won their first league game of the term and the 3-5-2 system was consigned to the scrap heap.

That was until Phil Parkinson arrived.

Here’s the inside track on how the Sunderland boss tweaked and tailored the abandoned system to fit his new side - and how the dressing room has reacted to playing three at the back.

WHAT’S CHANGED?

A crucial question. Why is this shape working now, when it wasn’t as successful in the early weeks of the campaign?

The crucial change made by Parkinson came in the attacking areas.

While the shape used by Ross in the early weeks of the season saw two out-and-out strikers lead the line, Parkinson’s preferred tactic is more akin to a 3-4-3 - with two attack-minded midfield players supporting a lone striker.

But despite the changes to the system, Parkinson’s desired style of play still places a great deal of emphasis on those playing as a wing-back.

For players naturally used to operating as a more defensive-minded full-back, it can be a difficult transition - but it’s one that Sunderland’s wide men have relished.

That change in mindset, coupled with players hitting top form, are identified as key reasons as to why this system is now working.

“I think it’s people coming into form,” explained Tom Flanagan.

“I think that has helped.We’ve got Luke, we’ve got Denver, we’ve got Declan and we’ve got Conor McLaughlin, and they’re all ready-made wing-backs.

“I feel like that comes to the forefront at this moment in time in this system.

“Whereas under Jack Ross it was the beginning of the season, we’d worked on it in pre-season, but they were still, those players in particular, were still in their full-back mentality.”

So too has persistence helped.

While Ross made changes to the system in a bid to get results - a move which it must be said, in the short-term, did work - Parkinson was staunch in his belief that the 3-4-3 formation would work, even when results were going against the Black Cats.

“I just think it’s kind of that we’ve stuck with it,” added Denver Hume.

“We’ve worked a lot on it in training.

“Even when it probably hasn’t went so well in games, we’ve stuck with it and kept on building on it. That’s probably showing in the performances.

“I think we’ve seen in the last couple of months how much we have improved as a team, and how much we have improved on the system. So I think that’s probably the main reason that it is working.”

Hume’s view is one echoed in the Sunderland dressing room.

“Maybe we just didn’t commit to it that much,” suggested Flanagan.

“But we got to a point in the season where we’d already lost a lot more games than we did last season. And it was kind of like, what have we got to lose?

“I think maybe that’s how people click. That’s just the way it works sometimes.”

PARKINSON’S IMPACT

There can be no questioning the impact Parkinson has had on successfully implementing the system.

Having used such a shape regularly throughout his managerial career, the Sunderland boss is well-versed in what is required in each department - and has been able to pass that on to his players.

“It’s down to this manager now,” admitted Flanagan.

“He’s getting the best out of the players, and I think that says a lot about his management technique.

“He likes to talk to the boys. He’s involved with the boys. He’s good on the training pitches, very positive around the place and there’s a good energy.

“We’re all just feeding off that same energy and I think that’s why we’re moving forward in the right direction.”

Hume concurs.

“Since they came in, they stripped everything down to the basics; got us doing the basics really well, and then we built on our performances, and built on the system we’re playing.

“And I think you can now see that in the performances and the results we’ve had in recent months.”

DRESSING ROOM VERDICT

Parkinson’s tactical tweaks have been well-received in the dressing room – with players believing it’s an option which suits the personnel available and could ultimately lead to promotion.

“I think the system really does suit me,” said Hume.

“After a few games, the gaffer came in and just kind of implemented that system really well.

“I think we’ve got the players in this team for it and I think you see each game where we’re building on it, and we’re making improvements.

“So keep on doing that until the end of the season and I think it will take us up.”

For Flanagan, this is far from a new concept, but it’s one he backs.

“I’ve played in a back three quite a lot.

“We play with a back three with the international team. I’m lucky enough to play that with two Premier League players, so I’ve learned a lot of them. It’s just a good system.

“I think in some games people might not be playing as well as others, but everyone is considered to be playing well when we’re playing well, and I think that’s important in the dressing room, that we’re all playing well as a team.”