Sunderland Q&A on attacking concerns, papering over the cracks and why Phil Parkinson will be relieved after Gillingham win

But while it appeared comfortable on paper, Sunderland had to work hard for the win and Steve Evans’ Gillingham side missed a penalty of their own before going down to ten men, the Black Cats then taking advantage late on.

Read Phil Smith’s full-time analysis here:

In our new post-match feature, we answer fans’ questions on the performance, tactics and some of the key players involved.

Does this paper over massive cracks at the club?

It certainly could have gone either way had Gillingham scored the penalty, Lee Burge’s save proving crucial in the end, with MacDonald then sent off shortly after for the hosts.

From then on, Sunderland were in control and deserved the win.

But prior to that, the familiar concerns remain, around whether there will be enough goals in this team and in this Sunderland attack to win promotion?

Also, too often the ball was given away cheaply, chances wasted, too many crosses not stopped, inviting pressure.

In the end it was a case of job done, three points and a clean sheet away from home and you move on but yes, the same concerns remain ahead of a huge game Tuesday.

Phil Smith’s SAFC player ratings following the win at Gillingham:

Why do we struggle in every game to a score or finish off teams?

Sunderland certainly missed some glorious chances prior to Chris Maguire netting from the spot, Josh Scowen guilty of three big chances blazed over the crossbar, Aiden O’Brien shot wide and Danny Graham sent a header wide.

You’d settle for two goals away from home but the goals for tally remains a concern when it comes to automatic promotion this season, League One is as competitive as ever.

Will this relieve some pressure on Phil Parkinson?

Parkinson is experienced enough to know there will always be a huge amount of pressure and scrutiny on him, his tactics, team selection, performances and results.

It goes with the territory. Sunderland need to win promotion this season.

They can’t get it wrong for a third season. There is little room for error or a run of bad results.

After a poor week, Parkinson will be delighted with this win ahead of a big game on Tuesday at the Stadium of Light. The schedule is relentless and Sunderland need to keep up the pace.

Why did we still persist with three central defenders when Gillingham went down to 10 men?

Parkinson will point to the end result and say the decision was justified.

And to be fair, Sunderland dominated the game using that shape and dominated the chances after Gillingham went down to ten men.

Patience paid off eventually, but the finishing simply has to improve.

Scrappy first half showing?

Phil Parkinson made four changes, with fans pleased to see the return of Grant Leadbitter and Josh Scowen with Max Power and George Dobson missing out.

It was a scrappy start and while the conditions didn’t help, Sunderland invited pressure on, conceding too many corners, four in the opening 15 minutes and gifting possession too easily.

Cheap free kicks given away too as Sunderland struggled to get any kind of passing game going.

Gradually, they grew into it, getting the ball on the floor more and Scowen had two good chances, one he should have buried from five-yards out.

Gillingham, as ever, were direct, long balls, diagonal balls, long throw-ins, scrapping but Sunderland made it easy for them at times, not cutting out enough of the crosses.

Sunderland needed to retain possession better and it was a similar story at the start of the second half, Gillingham should have taken the lead from the penalty spot but Lee Burge saved before the hosts went down to ten men, MacDonald red carded.

How costly could Josh Scowen’s missed chances have been?

The midfielder has three great chances, including two he absolutely should have scored.

Both efforts blasted over the crossbar from close range.

Later subbed, with Chris Maguire coming on for him, Scowen would have been dreaming about those chances all the way home.

Big, big chances squandered.

Did Aiden O’Brien take his chance?

No.

He needed to hold the ball up better, too many times it was coming up to him and he lost possession, especially in the early stages of the second half.

O’Brien also missed a decent opening, couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball and he sent his effort wide.

An opportunity missed by him.

Rotation is fine but Parkinson will be desperate for one of his other strikers to forge a partnership with Charlie Wyke, who won the penalty.

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