Sunderland fan blog: Have the Black Cats really made any progress under Phil Parkinson?

Our best points total after 10 games since dropping into League One but what has changed?

Yes, we look a bit more solid at the back at times which is a step forward but our lack of attacking threat is a major step backwards, we have enough strength in our squad to get out of this league but are we using the squad in the right way?

There were so many things that were wrong with the team last season and even with the decent points return, there are signs that those wrong aspects are starting to appear once again.

Manager Phil Parkinson has commented about the amount of crosses into the box against Mansfield and the lack of urgency to get on to the end of one of those crosses.

These are basic elements of the game that should be expected across all levels.

Hearing the post-match comments and watching the performances this season create a deja-vu feeling that we are looking at play-offs at best.

What is the answer?

The common response when the question is asked about giving the youngsters a chance is ‘are they ready?’ or ‘league football is physical and completely different to playing for the U23s.’

I don't agree with this at all, there are so many examples of other teams using youth in there teams with great success.

Luke Matheson at Rochdale last season would be one, a 16-year-old who managed to handled the physicality of League One and was consistently one of their better players.

For example in Neil and Diamond we have ability, pace and a hunger to impress.

How can we expect these players to develop and progress if we don't put faith into them.

Let's give these players a chance and the fans will back them 100%. What have we got to lose?

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