Tom Flanagan gives the inside track on Phil Parkinson's improving system in upbeat assessment of Sunderland form

A 3-1 win over Lincoln City at the Stadium of Light made it seven points from nine for the Black Cats, who have moved to within one point of the play-off places.

Parkinson has in recent weeks moved to a 3-4-3 system and it is starting to yield results, Sunderland’s attacking output greatly improved from some of the woeful performances early in the new manager’s tenure.

In particular, the fine form of Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien has given Parkinson’s side a far more threatening look and Flanagan believes the team may be starting to change perceptions about their approach to matches.

Sunderland completely dominated the opening period against a Lincoln City side who had come into the contest in fine form.

“It’s showing over the Christmas period that what the manager is getting us to do, we’re doing a lot better,” Flanagan said.

“It’s been coming. We’ve been a bit unlucky with some 1-0s’ and things like that, but it’s nice [to get the win].

“I think we’re maybe changing people’s perception of this five at the back, and proving it is a three at the back. That’s certainly the case when you look at the way Denver gets forward, and the crosses he puts in the box, and we’re able to keep him high up the pitch, that’s all the manager’s work that’s paying off.

“When we set the team up in training, we’re three at the back and five in midfield, and I think that’s important. People automatically look at the names on the team sheet, and because Luke and Denver have played at full-back, they think it is a five at the back. But I wouldn’t say that at all, and hopefully we’re changing a few people’s minds.

“They were really trying to keep Denver out of the game and show us down the other side. They were sitting in, and I think that’s testament to how we’ve been playing.”

The shift in system has also boosted Flanagan’s first-team prospects, the centre-back scoring his second goal of the season to send the Black Cats on their way.

The 27-year-old believes the shape is a good fit for Parkinson’s defensive options.

“Obviously, if instead of two there’s three, then you’ve got more chance of playing, which is a nice on a personal level,” he said.

“With Alim in the middle, with his strength and quality on the ball, he sets stuff off very well. Jordan’s very quick, I’m very quick, so we can cover the ground going forward and going back.

“With Denver and Luke, they’re so athletic, and it takes a bit of the pressure off the two midfielders having to go out wide and cover us. People are probably giving us a bit more respect now, which is what I feel we deserve.

“I think the system really suits us.

“For the manager, we’re only just in January now, so when it comes to changing things in terms of the squad, he can only start doing his business now. A couple of weeks ago, the list of who he wants to bring in might have been longer. Now, I think it’ll probably be a little bit shorter.

“We all have to prove ourselves to the manager, and he’s starting to pick his XI now. There have been ins and outs, and I think that’s down to people getting back to performing again and wanting to be in the team.”

It has been a difficult season for Sunderland, but with no team able to sustain a strong run of form in the division, they remain in contention with just under half of the season to go.

Wycombe Wanderers are the visitors to the Stadium of Light next weekend, providing the Black Cats with another opportunity to narrow the gap to the top end of the table.

Flanagan admits that Sunderland are perhaps fortunate that their poor form earlier in the campaign did not leave them adrift, but believes confidence is growing that they can still achieve promotion from the division this season.

“I think the boys were underachieving in their performances previously, everyone was, and that took a bit of confidence away,” he said.

“I think the manager’s installed a bit of confidence, but it did take a little bit of time.

“ We are probably lucky that the league is how the league is, otherwise we maybe would be adrift. We’ve lost quite a few games this season, but we’re still well in there. That’s just the league, and probably a bit of luck on our behalf.

“We’re right there. We’ve got to play some of the teams around us now, and there’s no consistency from any team in the league at the minute, I think that’s clear to see. No one’s running away with it, no one’s winning every week, it’s wide open and there’s still half the season left to go.”