Revealed! Sunderland fans deliver damning verdict on Phil Parkinson, under-performing squad and what Stewart Donald must do in January in our Big SAFC Survey

Sunderland fans have delivered a damning verdict on Phil Parkinson, the players and a dismal campaign - and called on Stewart Donald to splash the cash and prioritise improving the squad in January.
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The Echo launched its ‘Big SAFC Survey’ on the back of the dire 2-1 home defeat to Burton Albion, which saw supporters turn on Parkinson and the squad.

Chants of ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ were aimed at the manager, who has overseen seven defeats in his first 11 games, and ‘You’re not fit to wear the shirt’ at the squad.

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Those views have been reflected in our survey results, with a majority of fans not convinced Parkinson will lead the club to promotion this season and a majority calling for another change in the dugout.

Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.
Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson.

Our survey was launched to gauge fan opinion on a range of big issues facing the club as they battle - so far unsuccessfully this season - to win promotion back to the Championship at the second attempt.

Sunderland fell just short last year, Charlton Athletic winning the play-off final with the last kick of the game but the wheels have fallen off at the Stadium of Light this season with the club 11th, three points adrift of the play-off places and nine off an automatic promotion place.

Pressure among the fanbase is building on Parkinson and the players, who make the long trip to Gillingham this weekend, just a couple of weeks after their meek FA Cup exit at Priestfield Stadium, when League One resumes ahead of the festive season.

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The survey results make bleak reading for Parkinson, who has overseen exits from three cup competitions in recent weeks with the club also dropping down the League One table.

Sunderland find themselves 11th in League One.Sunderland find themselves 11th in League One.
Sunderland find themselves 11th in League One.

We asked fans how they rated Parkinson’s performance since taking charge, with an overwhelming 91% of fans unhappy, just 9% stating they were satisfied.

And the numbers were similar when we asked fans if they had faith in Parkinson to lead the Black Cats to promotion this season - 88% did not think he would achieve the club’s ambition, with just 12% backing him to lead the club back to the Championship.

When asked whether Parkinson - who has only been in the job seven weeks or so - deserved more time or should Sunderland look to make another managerial change, the results were not as conclusive but still made for bleak reading for Parkinson.

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With 69.9% of fans believing it was already time for Sunderland to cut their losses.

Results of our SAFC fan survey.Results of our SAFC fan survey.
Results of our SAFC fan survey.

There was, however, still support for Parkinson from 30% of the fans that took part in our survey.

They felt he definitely needed more time and a transfer window at least before a proper judgement could be made.

When it came to the biggest single factor behind the dismal start to the season, fans were split, with a significant chunk, 39% laying the blame at the under-performing players.

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Almost a quarter, 22%, felt it was down to a lack of investment, with 17% blaming the quality of the summer signings.

Results of our SAFC fan survey.Results of our SAFC fan survey.
Results of our SAFC fan survey.

When asked how do they rate Stewart Donald’s performance as owner, only 10% were satisfied, with 40% unhappy and almost 50% content but wanted more positive action from Donald.

Whether or not Sunderland need a director of football has been a hot topic of debate this week and there was almost an even split on the matter - with almost 54% deeming it not necessary, while 46% were in favour.

When it came to what the priority should be for the Sunderland owner - fans were clear.

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They want to see fresh investment in the squad when the January transfer window opens, with 65% calling for improvements to the squad next month.

Meanwhile, 23% wanted to see improvements to the club’s recruitment structure and strategy and 9% wanted to see the football structure improved.

And when it came to how much needs to be spent next month, fans wanted to see a significant amount injected into the playing side.

Results of our SAFC fan survey.Results of our SAFC fan survey.
Results of our SAFC fan survey.

Of the fans that took part in our survey, 57% want to see £5million plus spent on the new signings, with almost 32% of fans wanting to see between £1million and £3million splashed out.

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There was a clear message to the club’s recruitment team in terms of the position that needs strengthening too - with 65% of fans wanting to see the forward department bolstered in January.

Adding goals (40%) and pace (41%) to the side were the two biggest transfer priorities for fans ahead of the winter transfer window.

And on that theme it was perhaps no surprise to see Will Grigg voted the biggest disappointment of the campaign to date, winning the votes of 57% of fans.

Jordan Willis was deemed the signing of the summer, drawing 43% of the vote, with Lee Burge also impressing supporters with 21%.

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As part of our Big SAFC Survey, we also asked supporters whether the club was right to sack Jack Ross in October, given results have regressed since his departure.

A majority of fans still felt that was the right call by the owners, with 56% in agreement that it was the correct decision to sack Ross.

And when it came to his best quality as a manager, Sunderland fans voted man management and character/demeanour as his best qualities, though fans felt his tactics and failure to sort out the defensive issues helped towards his eventual downfall.

Our Big SAFC Survey ran from Thursday to Sunday evening with almost 1,700 supporters having their say.

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With Sunderland having a free weekend, the inquest following the Burton Albion game has been a lengthy one with the emphasis now back on Parkinson and the players to perform and get back to winning ways away to Gillingham this weekend.

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