'Baffling!': Sunderland fans question Phil Parkinson's big selection call at Fleetwood

Parkinson has named an unchanged side for the clash with the Cod Army, resisting the temptation to rotate his squad after a quick turnaround in fixtures.

His decision means the returning Tom Flanagan has to settle for a place on the bench, while Parkinson sticks with the 5-3-2 formation he has utilised in recent weeks.

And fans had plenty to say on his big calls ahead of the New Years’ Day fixture – including the decision to omit Marc McNulty.

Here’s what supporters had to say on social media:

@chriswood1875 said: “How Marc mcnulty or Dylan mcgeouch can’t get a game is baffling man”

But @SW11__ argued: “We just won 2-1 and played the best we have all season... why change it?”

@chrisconlin2 added: “Unchanged !! Correct decision”

@JBrownie_99 commented: “Haway the lads get into them”

@76skelly tweeted: “Try and carry on from Sunday eh lads?”

@sunlunjack posted: “10 years on we will look at this game. let’s make it a good memory. HWTL”

And here’s the Sunderland team news in full:

Sunderland AFC XI: J McLaughlin; O’Nien, Ozturk, Willis, Lynch, Hume; Dobson, Power; Gooch, Maguire, Wyke

Sunderland AFC subs: Burge, C McLaughlin, Grigg, Watmore, Leadbitter, Flanagan, McNulty

Follow live updates from the visit to Highbury in our live blog, with Phil Smith and Richard Mennear providing live analysis and match updates throughout the afternoon.