It was one of Phil Parkinson’s earliest and biggest calls to drop one of the few players he had worked with in his managerial career. Even if McLaughlin had not reached the heights of last season, it still felt a shock to see his name on the bench in a league fixture. Lee Burge had earned a chance through his cup performances and so it was no surprise to see him acquit himself well against both Wycombe Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers. McLaughlin, though, has been handed a very early chance to reclaim his place with Burge suffering a hip injury. It’s a big opportunity for McLaughlin to reestablish himself as he is so clearly capable of doing. Here Parkinson could without doubt he boosted by the club’s hierarchy sorting out a contract impasse that has already dragged on too long. Regardless of current form, the goalkeeper is one of the club’s biggest assets and that needs protectingIt was one of Phil Parkinson’s earliest and biggest calls to drop one of the few players he had worked with in his managerial career. Even if McLaughlin had not reached the heights of last season, it still felt a shock to see his name on the bench in a league fixture. Lee Burge had earned a chance through his cup performances and so it was no surprise to see him acquit himself well against both Wycombe Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers. McLaughlin, though, has been handed a very early chance to reclaim his place with Burge suffering a hip injury. It’s a big opportunity for McLaughlin to reestablish himself as he is so clearly capable of doing. Here Parkinson could without doubt he boosted by the club’s hierarchy sorting out a contract impasse that has already dragged on too long. Regardless of current form, the goalkeeper is one of the club’s biggest assets and that needs protecting
It was one of Phil Parkinson’s earliest and biggest calls to drop one of the few players he had worked with in his managerial career. Even if McLaughlin had not reached the heights of last season, it still felt a shock to see his name on the bench in a league fixture. Lee Burge had earned a chance through his cup performances and so it was no surprise to see him acquit himself well against both Wycombe Wanderers and Tranmere Rovers. McLaughlin, though, has been handed a very early chance to reclaim his place with Burge suffering a hip injury. It’s a big opportunity for McLaughlin to reestablish himself as he is so clearly capable of doing. Here Parkinson could without doubt he boosted by the club’s hierarchy sorting out a contract impasse that has already dragged on too long. Regardless of current form, the goalkeeper is one of the club’s biggest assets and that needs protecting

The nine Sunderland players set for a big chance to impress Phil Parkinson in the next three games

It has, by Phil Parkinson’s own admission, been a whirlwind start to life in charge of Sunderland.
By Phil Smith
Published 3rd Nov 2019, 16:45 BST
Updated 3rd Nov 2019, 16:45 BST

Crunch league games have come thick and fast and he has been forced to quickly settle on a core group of players and structure to try and secure a quick uplift in results.

He now gets a welcome chance to rotate, however, with the Black Cats playing their next three games in cup competitions.

As assistant Steve Parkin admitted last Monday, it is a perfect opportunity to take a look at the players who have so far had limited action in their tenure.

“We need to get a picture of as many of the players as we can in the next few cup games without making ridiculous changes, there's players that we do really want to see on a matchday and I'm sure Phil will be conscious of that,” he said.

So who is likely to come into the fold and what do they have to do to press their claims?

We take a closer look….

Max Stryjek's surprising summer departure means that Anthony Patterson is now third choice at the club. Rated by Jack Ross as a good prospect, he could get a chance to show his potential in the upcoming leasing.com trophy games.

1. ANTHONY PATTERSON

Max Stryjek's surprising summer departure means that Anthony Patterson is now third choice at the club. Rated by Jack Ross as a good prospect, he could get a chance to show his potential in the upcoming leasing.com trophy games. Photo: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC

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Ozturk lost his place in the latter days of Jack Ross’ tenure, with Joel Lynch making an immediate impression as he got up to match fitness. It was no surprise to see Parkinson look to continue what has been a promising partnership with Jordan Willis. Ozturk, though, has looked to be out of the picture on more than one occasion in his Sunderland career. He has always bounced back and with the side still occasionally giving away soft goals under the new manager, there is an opportunity to put himself firmly back in contention, particularly if Parkinson decides to play three central defenders again at some stage.

2. ALIM OZTURK

Ozturk lost his place in the latter days of Jack Ross’ tenure, with Joel Lynch making an immediate impression as he got up to match fitness. It was no surprise to see Parkinson look to continue what has been a promising partnership with Jordan Willis. Ozturk, though, has looked to be out of the picture on more than one occasion in his Sunderland career. He has always bounced back and with the side still occasionally giving away soft goals under the new manager, there is an opportunity to put himself firmly back in contention, particularly if Parkinson decides to play three central defenders again at some stage. Photo: Frank Reid

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Currently sidelined with an injury but is back running and so a return is not too far away. He will have to do well to dislodge Denver Hume, who has made a strong early impression on the new management team. He remains a youngster with much to improve both in defence and in his final ball, but his physical stats have impressed Parkinson and Parkin and he has given his side a constant outlet. Crucially, he looks to be finding some consistency as he enjoys a run of games.

3. LAURENS DE BOCK

Currently sidelined with an injury but is back running and so a return is not too far away. He will have to do well to dislodge Denver Hume, who has made a strong early impression on the new management team. He remains a youngster with much to improve both in defence and in his final ball, but his physical stats have impressed Parkinson and Parkin and he has given his side a constant outlet. Crucially, he looks to be finding some consistency as he enjoys a run of games. Photo: FRANK REID

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Left out of the squad in Parkinson’s first league game and an unused substitute since then. Initially, the new manager played with a holding midfielder in Grant Leadbitter but in the search for more firepower, that has quickly been dropped. Parkinson has gone with an aggressive midfield pairing of Max Power and George Dobson, who have both been given plenty of licence to get forward. It leaves McGeouch with an uncertain future, and with much to prove when his chance does come. He has thrived in this kind of role before, most notably last season with some superb performances in a 4-4-2 after the Checkatrade Trophy final. He will need to do so again to dislodge one of the current pairing.

4. DYLAN McGEOUCH

Left out of the squad in Parkinson’s first league game and an unused substitute since then. Initially, the new manager played with a holding midfielder in Grant Leadbitter but in the search for more firepower, that has quickly been dropped. Parkinson has gone with an aggressive midfield pairing of Max Power and George Dobson, who have both been given plenty of licence to get forward. It leaves McGeouch with an uncertain future, and with much to prove when his chance does come. He has thrived in this kind of role before, most notably last season with some superb performances in a 4-4-2 after the Checkatrade Trophy final. He will need to do so again to dislodge one of the current pairing. Photo: Ian Horrocks

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