Phil Smith's verdict: Inside the significant Sunderland performances that could have big consequences in the months ahead

"Magnificent, George Dobson."

Again and again, these were the sounds from Phil Parkinson and the Sunderland dugout.

This had been a night when fans had found themselves in a state of genuine anticipation for a dead-rubber game in a competition where no one would have blinked had common sense prevailed, and it had been placed on the backburner for a season.

The cause for that was the inclusion of a handful of young players on the fringe of the senior squad, their impressive pre-season performances raising hope of a breakthrough.

Though the end result was disappointing, the performances generally underlined the talent that is knocking on the door.

Dobson is an interesting case, given that he is just one year older than Elliot Embleton, and two years older than Jack Diamond.

His significant experience at League One level means he is viewed differently for obvious reasons, as is the fact that he is a player who Parkinson has consistently offered opportunities to.

It has been a bruising start to the season for Dobson.

Sent off on the opening day of the season, a superb performance in the opening game of this competition saw Grant Leadbitter seize the place in the side that had long been his. Leadbitter never looked back.

His return to the side was frustrating, a disappointing performance in a hugely frustrating draw at Rochdale. Dobson missed the next two matchday squads and a further recall against Mansfield yielded few positives.

So it was telling that entirely unprompted, Parkinson used his post-match remarks to hail Dobson's performance, and to pointedly draw reference to his role in the team's excellent form at the turn of 2020.

It was entirely genuine, given the relentless praise he drew throughout the contest.

Dobson simplified his game and reaped the rewards. He pressed up the pitch and disrupted Fleetwood with real effectiveness. When they did play through the press, he invariably was there to sweep up. In possession, he kept it simple, moving it on quickly and with precision.

Three defensive injuries pushed him back onto the left of the back three, but he came through was was a challenging period for his side.

What was most notable about Dobson's performance was that he helped build the platform for the young talent around him to shine.

In particular, his energy in midfield gave Dan Neil the time and space to show off his tremendous passing range.

At half time, the case for Sunderland's youngsters was beginning to look overwhelming.

Yes, this was a much-changed Fleetwood side in the same way that Sunderland's was.

No, the intensity was probably a little short of what you can expect when the Black Cats return here in a fortnight for a crucial league fixture. The sedate atmosphere of the home dugout told you that much.

Even so, Fleetwood's midfield and forward line boasted some real experience, and in the opening 45 they were outplayed and outran.

Neil drew another cry of 'magnificent' from the dugout when a glorious diagonal pass found Callum McFadzean on the left wing.

Not long after, Jack Diamond called for the switch of play.

Neil's view was blocked, and the angle tight as Fleetwood looked to close him down. Neil landed the pass, absolutely inch perfect.

It was, Parkinson said, his best 45 minutes in a senior shirt.

In front of him, Embleton was every bit as good.

He produced the moment of the half, after some fine combination play with Neil and McFadzean down the left. A drop of the shoulder, and he was away from his marker in the box. Only the woodwork denied him Sunderland's goal of the season so far.

The set pieces were precise, from both flanks and both feet.

In the second half, both found themselves battling.

Those defensive injuries (and the first to Oliver Younger was significant, given how well he was performing) derailed Sunderland their grip on midfield as a result.

It was notable, too, that Fleetwood coach gave the simplest of answers post match, asked what his players had been told at the interval.

'Run harder', was the two-word response.

The intensity knocked Sunderland, looser in possession and disjointed off it.

At one stage, Diamond called for that switch again but this time the pass was imprecise. "Come on Dan, you're better than that," was the cry. Neil's fury told you he agreed.

This was a valuable exercise for a player with clear talent, and limited experience.

Embleton visibly tired in the latter stages, a reminder of just how long he has been absent from competitive football.

He is the player, nevertheless, who is going to be impossible to ignore in the coming weeks.

Charlie Wyke has nailed down the centre-forward position but behind him Parkinson has still been searching. Embleton is going to be impossible to ignore.

Neil, too, has a case. That position to the left of Leadbitter remains largely up for grabs, and his quality in possession is eye-catching.

On the right, this was another night in which you were left impressed with Jack Diamond, and unsure whether this system gets the best from him.

At times he drove into space tremendously well, and there were some excellent deliveries from the byline.

On ongoing gripe was that on this night, like so many others, there were not enough bodies in the box to capitalise. As long as this remains the case, those impressive crossing statistics are not going to translate into goals.

Adjusting to a wing-back role he had never played before this campaignn remains a work in progress nevertheless.

Parkinson's post-match message was clear, this was a night to dwell on the positives, and not the end result.

That second half, you suspect, has given his more established players more time to nail down their places.

Make no mistake, though: These youngsters are good enough.

Time will tell whether they truly get the chance to prove it.

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