Steve Parkin delivers the Sunderland management verdict on Crewe win and the key to another clean sheet

The Black Cats took the lead just before half-time through a Ryan Wintle own goal, but had a number of chances to extend their lead throughout the game.

While that was a source of frustration, Parkin hailed the way his side again shut down an oppositon with a reputation for being lively going forward.

"The lads in the dressing room are a little bit disappointed with the goals tally because I think some of the football that we played warranted two or three more goals,” Parkinson said.

"I think we’ve limited a good side who we’ve watched closely this season to practically nothing. We’ve had 20-odd attempts and we just need to concentrate on converting a few more of those because it made it a little bit hairy at the end.

"But the resilience of the boys and the way they defended was admirable at the end to make sure we got that 1-0 victory.

“The key thing is that we have lots of defenders’ meetings and watch lots of videos on the opposition,” he added.

"We go through the defending we’ve had in the previous game and we also work on the training ground so the clean sheets don’t just happen, they come with a lot of hard work and dedication from the players and everybody at the club. It’s also not just down to the defenders and the goalkeeper, we start from the front.

"Our closing down in the last two games has been very good – it was good tonight against a very technical team, that’s the reason why we’ve been keeping clean sheets.”

Parkin believed this was a win that underlined his side’s promotion ambitions this season, as they battled to another well-earned three points and rode out some late pressure.

“When we were at Bolton, we were under severe pressure to win matches because of the expectation levels, and it's a good league with good players,” he said.

“It's a long, hard season and you have games where you don't score as many as you like, and you have to manage them to be successful.

“We firmly believe in keeping clean sheets first and foremost, and we've got a group who really buy into that.

“You can't win every game comfortably and sometimes it's about seeing it through.”

There was more praise for Grant Leadbitter, who delivered another superb performance at the base of midfield.

“We're delighted with him," Parkinson said.

“He's brought all his experience and know-how of the games he's played to the table.

"He tidies the mess up but does it with quality and if he can play from that area of the pitch, he does.

“His desire to do well for this club is massive, as we all know.

“But he's playing with a real calmness and a real composure, which sets the rest of the team nicely to play some good football.”

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