No Sunderland players face the press as Phil Parkinson delivers swift and cutting dressing room inquest

He pulled no punches on a defeat at Bristol Rovers that puts Sunderland’s automatic promotion hopes in serious doubt, and saw them drop out the play-off places.

And if that were his assessment to journalists, then the Black Cats’ boss was likely even more scathing in his remarks behind closed doors.

There was no long dressing room inquest at the Memorial Stadium. Parkinson’s message was clearly delivered swiftly and incisively, as he promptly faced the press; a far cry from the trip to Scunthorpe United earlier this term where major questions were asked behind closed doors – meaning Parkinson and skipper Grant Leadbitter were held up from facing the cameras and dictaphones.

After the defeat in the South West, however, it was telling that only Parkinson faced the press. The assembled media were told that no player would be carrying out post-match press duties.

In recent years, the Black Cats have traditionally placed a player up for interview. This has happened even on the darkest of hours – see the aforementioned defeat by League Two side Scunthorpe, the dismal display at Peterborough earlier this term, or indeed after two defeats at Wembley.

This may not necessarily be a bad thing, however. While it may leave column inches to be filled, if Sunderland’s players are wanting to do their talking on the field – and focus on a significant final eight games of the term – then you will find very few, if any, fans or journalists complaining about this decision.

Here’s hoping that is the case.