Phil Smith's verdict: Assessing some significant Sunderland performances and the options it's given Phil Parkinson

There was significance in Sunderland's 8-1 win over Aston Villa in the first EFL Trophy game of the season, even if it took a little bit of time to be fully realised.
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There had been disappointment in the immediate aftermath of that win, with Phil Parkinson resisting the urge to tinker with his preferred XI for the opening day draw with Bristol Rovers.

In time, though, the performances that stood out against Aston Villa's youngsters did lead to some unexpected developments.

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In particular, a stellar performance from Grant Leadbitter at the base of midfield would prove transformative to his first-team prospects.

Jack Diamond scores his first senior goal against Carlisle UnitedJack Diamond scores his first senior goal against Carlisle United
Jack Diamond scores his first senior goal against Carlisle United

Leadbitter had made a major impression on Parkinson and his backroom staff in pre-season.

His physical statistics were as good as anyone in the squad and that allowed his undoutbed quality on the ball, as well as his game intelligence, to come back to the fore.

Young Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey would make his Premier League debut within weeks, underlining the quality of Leadbitter's display.

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It was a night that confirmed what Parkinson had suspected and a month on, his place in the squad is secure.

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That win had proved key for Josh Scowen, too.

His capacity to break into the box late, as well as his excellent set-pieces, underlined his potential to play a more attacking role in Parkinson's tweaked system.

He faced a frustrating wait to finally get his chance but at Charlton Athletic he was desperately unlucky not to produce a match-winning assist.

All of which begs the question as to how this ultimately comfortable win over Carlisle United could affect the picture when Sunderland return from their international break and begin one of the most hectic fixture schedules of recent memories.

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There will be rotation, there will be injuries, and there will be chances.

Parkinson was ultimately satisfied with the evening's work but there were also some pointed remarks in his post-match press conference.

In particular, he was left frustrated with the 'slackness' that came to typify Sunderland's performance after surging into a 4-1 win.

To an extent this was to be expected, with a usually solid defensive unit taking on a decidedly makeshift look for the evening.

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Carlisle had exploited that in the opening stages, with the lively Ethan Walker causing real problems with his pace both on the ball and off it.

Given the lively displays of Brandon Hanlan and Siriki Dembele (for the first quarter of that game, at least), you do wonder whether teams may begin to see this as the best way to get at a typically physical and resolute Sunderland backline.

There were, though, some very encouraging signs in some attacking positions and it's here that Parkinson will have been most satisfied.

Chris Maguire seized his moment, called up to the side after a shin injury meant that Will Grigg was disappointingly unable to press his claims.

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Parkinson has laid down the gauntlet to Maguire in recent weeks, making it clear that he has real competition from Scowen.

Two goals, even if one was a little fortuitous, and two assists, even if one of those was a little fortuitous, was the perfect response. To his credit, his performance was also full of the aggressive pressing that Parkinson demands from his attacking players.

In two academy prospects handed a real chance, there was also encouragement.

Undoubtedly, Dan Neil tired in the second half, just losing the composure in possession that typifies his game. Yet in the first half there was more than enough to show that this is an 18-year-old capable of producing both the physicality and quality needed in league football.

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The performance from Jack Diamond was even more eye-catching.

The 20-year-old is a thrilling player to watch, relentlessly taking the attacking option in possession. Parkinson noted that he can improve his consistency, particularly when it comes to his end product, and of that there is no doubt.

In what is a strong and relatively deep squad, both have a task on their hands to force their way into the senior side. The easiest reponse to calls for more minutes is to say, at this stage, ahead of who?

Yet in the congested schedule ahead, both have shown Parkinson can trust them and Diamond in particular has pressed his claims with an excellent start to the U23 campaign.

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It is a risk to play an inexperienced and attack-minded player at wing-back, but Diamond draws fouls, commits players and creates space.

Particularly in home games where defences sit deep, who is to say that won't prove to be a very useful weapon at some stage?

It’s all the more thought-provoking when the incumbent in that position, Luke O'Nien, delivered a quite remarkable display of his own.

Left centre-back is about as far away from home as he could possibly himself, but he took on the challenge with relish and thrived.

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It's a role he's unlikely to reprise, but there is nothing stopping him dropping into the right of that back three in games, should Parkinson want, for example, to throw on Diamond in search of a goal.

None of these performances will fundamentally alter Parkinson's preferred shape or approach, but he craves options and these two EFL Trophy games have suggested he has them.

Up front, question marks remain and many supporters would like to see one last foray into the market.

Parkinson's comments thus far have suggested that is unlikely.

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Charlie Wyke battled back well from a poor first half here, registering a clever assist. And while his finish was simple and the result of a goalkeeping error, it was to his credit that he was so alert to capitalise.

The key moment, though, perhaps came in stoppage time, Danny Graham producing a sublime assist to tee up Diamond for his first senior goal.

Graham, you suspect, is the player in possession for the time being.

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