Revealed: How Lee Johnson's mixed start compares to his Sunderland predecessors Phil Parkinson and Jack Ross

Sunderland's win over Shrewsbury Town marked Lee Johnson’s tenth game since arriving at the club – so how did his start compare to those who preceded him in the role?
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Johnson’s start to life on Wearside has been mixed, with injury woes and the club’s COVID-19 outbreak only complicating matters.

There have, however, been plenty of positive signs – not least the wins over Lincoln City and Port Vale – and Johnson’s impact is starting to show on the side’s style of play.

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But what do the numbers say about how his opening ten games compare to those of Jack Ross and Phil Parkinson? We take a look:

How Lee Johnson's mixed start compares to his Sunderland predecessors Phil Parkinson and Jack RossHow Lee Johnson's mixed start compares to his Sunderland predecessors Phil Parkinson and Jack Ross
How Lee Johnson's mixed start compares to his Sunderland predecessors Phil Parkinson and Jack Ross

JACK ROSS’ FIRST TEN GAMES

Won: 4

Drew: 4

Lost: 2

Win Percentage: 40%

Ross’ reign began in the best possible manner, with that dramatic late win over Charlton Athletic on the opening day of the 2018/19 season.

And while further wins would follow – most notably convincing triumphs over Scunthorpe United and Gillingham – what would soon become a familiar failing would begin to creep in.

Sunderland drew as many games as they won during Ross’ first ten games, and the Scot’s reign would ultimately be associated with dropped points at crucial moments of the campaign.

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The Black Cats did only lose twice during their first ten games under Ross though, with only one of those defeats coming in the league. The other was to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.

PHIL PARKINSON’S FIRST TEN GAMES

Won: 2

Drew: 3

Lost: 5

Win Percentage: 20%

Parkinson’s difficult start to life on Wearside was well-documented, and it’s no surprise to see the stats reflect that.

While there were some glimpses of promise – most notably the 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers – there were some very concerning results.

Defeats to Shrewsbury Town, Leicester City U21s and Scunthorpe United represented an underwhelming start, and dropped points during this period ultimately proved costly for Sunderland when the campaign was curtailed.

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Had they been able to secure some more results during Parkinson’s early days in charge, then they could have found themselves in far better shape when the season was ultimately decided on a points-per-game basis.

Just as was the case during Ross’ start to life on Sunderland, the problems that would ultimately plague Parkinson’s reign were apparent early on in his tenure – namely a failure to score goals.

Taking aside the win over Tranmere, the Black Cats scored just four times during the other nine fixtures.

LEE JOHNSON’S FIRST TEN GAMES

Won: 5

Drawn: 3

Lost: 2

Win Percentage: 50%

In terms of raw win percentage, then, Johnson’s start has been the best of any of the trio of managers who have led Sunderland in League One.

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There are caveats to that, of course. Two of those wins came in the EFL Trophy came against lower league opposition, but on the other side of the coin you could argue that the percentage could be bigger were it not for the club’s COVID-19 outbreak.

The number of draws is probably still too high for some people’s liking, but the early signs look positive.

We’ve seen exciting flashes of the type of football Johnson wants to implement, and given time that win percentage may yet creep up.

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