Phil Parkinson has this key message for his Sunderland players as he reflects on his first ten games and promotion pressure

The Black Cats laboured to another frustrating result against Coventry City on Saturday, Benji Kimpioka rescuing a point in the last minute after another game in which Parkinson’s side had again struggled to forge clear opportunities.

Parkinson was pleased with the application of his side but says they must show more conviction in the box.

“It’s about making the players aware that the majority of goals are scored in that second six-yard box,” he said.

“You do get the spectcular goals from the edge but that’s where goals are scored and we’ve got to have that base covered.

“We put in some excellent deliveries but it’s that desire, sometimes hard work can be that three or four-yard run. Look at Tottenham’s goal at the weekend against West Ham, Lucas shows that real hard work and determination to get in at the back stick.

“We showed that when we got back into the game, we have got to commit.

“Committing players into the oppositon box is absolutely key and our goal typified that.

“The ball comes into tbe box, Luke challenges for it, Duncan is in there, Grant is in there, and it breaks to Benji whereas at other times the ball comes in and Will is on his own.

“We’ve got to learn from that.”

Key to that is working with his key attacking players who have been struggling for both form and goals.

“With Aiden [McGeady] for instance, he might there for that one that gets pulled back to the penalty spot,” Parkinson added.

“He should have had a penalty on Saturday when he’s near that area. He might not win a towering header at the back stick but equally, that one where he gets in an area where it might get pulled back is an important one for us.

“He understand that, yes, him and Chris have the ability to score from the edge of the box, but theyve got to get those six-yard goals as well.”

The draw left Parkinson with just two wins from his opening ten games, raising the pressure ahead of the visit of Burton Albion tonight.

Parkinson insists he has seen signs of from his team that they can go on a winning run, and was keen to urge his players not to focus on the pressure surrounding the game.

“I’m enjoying working with the lads, it’s a really good set of lads,” he said.

“They’ve got a determination to do well and we’ve got to work to get more out of every single one. That’s about working with the players on the training pitch, talking with them and explaining what we want from them, the work in the gym on the strength and conditioning, all these different aspects in which you can improve players.

“There is a good feeling in the group, everyone knows what we’ve got to achieve and there is a decent core who are desperate to do that.

“We’re focusing on the process and where we’ve got to be, rather than creating the tension of ‘we’ve got to win’. It’s just about concentrating on the elements of our game that we want to get better at, individually and collectively.

“That’s what we believe in.

“You’ve got get the building blocks in your performances to get the results.

“When people say it’s a ‘must-win’ game, it creates a pressure where you don’t play well,” he added.

“You focus on the key things you need to do well, and if you do, it gets you the points.

“In football and any walk of life, you have to concentrate on the process.

“There were enough good elements to the game on Saturday for us to build on.

“I think it’s been quite bitty for us because of the cup games and the changes in personnel. I’d love to still be in the FA Cup but I’m looking forward to this period with the lads on the training pitch, but I see signs that we’re a team capable of getting on a decent run.”

Parkinson was also keen to reject any suggestion that poor results would raise the pressure at the Stadium of Light, urging his team to lit the supporters with their intensity on the pitch.

“There was a little bit of edginess in the team in the first half against Coventry, hence the loose passes we gave away, but I’ve been discussing it with a few of the players and I think saying it’s hard to play here is a bit of an excuse.

“I feel that any time on Saturday we showed any good bit of play, any intent, the crowd were right behind us and we’ve got to use that.

“It’s not difficult to play, the crowd just want to see positive play and for people to react in the right way if they make a mistake.

“The supporters are very genuine in what they want, they understand the game, the minimum requirement is the effort and the commitment and body language of the team has got to be right.

“Every time we switch the play quickly or show a good intensity about our game, supporters respond. We’ve got to continue to do that.”