Sunderland reach a new low and January can't come quickly enough: Six things learned from dire Gillingham defeat

Promotion from League One is the priority this season and that’s all the club has left to compete for having been knocked out of three cup competitions in the same number of weeks.

A dismal month has seen the Black Cats exit the Carabao Cup, EFL Trophy and now the FA Cup, at the first round stage for the first time in almost a century.

Another new low in a season of new lows.

Sunderland’s drab showing against Gillingham yet again raised more questions than answers with Phil Parkinson having now lost six of the nine games he has overseen.

Here’s what we learned from the trip to Priestfield:

Sunderland woeful in final third

Once again Sunderland were found lacking in the final third. A lack of creativity, nous, shots on target, attempts at goal. Sunderland are lacking.

Will Grigg’s performances have nosedived and he shows no signs he will hit the goal trail anytime soon but Parkinson’s options are currently limited with Charlie Wyke still out and Marc McNulty missing with a tight hamstring.

Is McNulty the answer? Possibly not but Sunderland have few other options currently.

To fail to muster a single effort on goal in 120 minutes against a bang average Gillingham side is embarrassing for a club the size of Sunderland.

Big improvement needed.

What style and system is trying to be implemented?

It isn’t clear and that’s another major issue and concern.

Time on the training ground has been limited since Parkinson took charge and team selection has been inconsistent due to injuries and international call-ups.

There are mitigating factors but Sunderland’s performance levels have been way below standard in recent weeks, bar the excellent win over Tranmere Rovers.

Sunderland need some consistency in selection, style of play and performances sooner rather than later.

Sunderland have no choice but to now concentrate on the league.

No excuses now.

No fixture backlog now.

The only competition Sunderland are now competing in is the league - and they must start stringing together a run of wins.

With the growing need to win promotion back to the Championship sooner rather than later, the pressure and focus will always be on the league campaign.

And with a couple of games in hand, Sunderland can quickly kick-start their bid for the top two.

But it must start this weekend against Coventry.

There are no more excuses now the cup competitions are no longer a distraction.

Creative players lacking spark

The players look devoid of confidence and ideas currently, Chris Maguire, Duncan Watmore and sub Aiden McGeady all struggling to make an impact at Gillingham.

One too many direct balls punted forward from the goalkeeper and defence.

The Gillingham skipper, central defender Max Ehmer was named man of the match having kept Grigg quiet all night.

Yes the service in to him was poor but he needs to be doing more. Much more.

There is a distinct lack of pace and athleticism in the Sunderland side, too many hurried passes, they struggled to maintain possession and build any kind of rhythm to their play.

Gillingham weren’t any better but one smart finish proved enough.

January can’t come soon enough.

Clearly, there needs to be fresh investment in this group of players.

Whether that be with cold hard cash or loan signings, Sunderland need to add at least one more - possibly two strikers - and pace and width in forward areas.

Sunderland’s form has been a concern for several weeks now and this group of players is not performing - additions are desperately needed before it is too late.

The cup competitions have proved a distraction but the league action returns this weekend and Sunderland must start producing performances and victories.

The side named against Gillingham should have been strong enough to seal a place in round two of the FA Cup.

January is still some weeks off so Sunderland must produce a run of wins between now and then to keep up with the chasing pack but there is already a sizeable gap to the top two.

There is going to be little room for error now given the number of defeats Sunderland have already suffered this season.

This group of players needs to prove they have what it takes to win promotion this year.

There was one positive…

Brandon Taylor.

Phil Parkinson made it clear in the build-up that Sunderland would be missing a trio of key players in Jordan Willis, Joel Lynch and George Dobson, a chance then for Taylor to stake a claim.

And he impressed.

The 20-year-old academy product did not look out of place, one of the very few plus points from another away day defeat.

Willis and Lynch are expected back for the weekend and with Tom Flanagan returning too, then Taylor may have to wait for his next chance.

But he at least showed Parkinson what he is capable of and it was a good night for the academy too, the youth set-up has struggled for results at youth level this season but Taylor showed there is some quality coming through the system.