Unpicking Sunderland's defensive issues and examining the one big positive Phil Parkinson can take

Sunderland's defensive issues came back to haunt them against Gillingham

Here, we examine the key lessons Phil Parkinson can take from the frustrating stalemate:

SUNDERLAND COULDN’T DEAL WITH THE LONG THROWS

Both Gillingham’s goals came in-directly from long throw-ins, as Sunderland failed to deal with the moments where the visitors packed out their area.

IMAGE ONE: Sunderland were undone by a long throw-in for Gillingham's first goal. Alim Ozturk and Jordan Willis (both circled) were at fault.

It isn’t the first time that the Black Cats have been undone by such methods and the nature of the goals conceded frustrated Parkinson.

And as shown in IMAGE ONE, it’s easy to see why.

The image shows the Gills’ first goal, and the catalogue of errors which led to it.

First Alim Ozturk missed his header, allowing Mikael Mandron to latch onto the ball. Rather uncharacteristically, Jordan Willis had switched off and allowed the former Black Cat space to get onto the ball – then fluffing an attempted clearance and allowing the Frenchman in.

IMAGE TWO: Denver Hume, on several occasions, found himself in similar positions to this and was able to create chances - ultimately providing an assist for Kyle Lafferty's first goal.

Simple mistakes, but they once again showed that Sunderland need to improve when teams take a more aerial route.

DEFENSIVE TWEAKS ARE NEEDED

Sunderland have now gone three games without a clean sheet.

It’s worth noting that in that time, they have played two serious promotion contenders in Fleetwood and Coventry and one of the league’s in-form sides in Gillingham.

But Parkinson will no doubt be concerned at the sheer number of chances the Black Cats are giving their opponents – particularly when they were on home soil against the Gills.

Jon McLaughlin made a string of fine saves in the second half as the visitors found it far too easy to cut through Sunderland’s back three.

Changes, whether in personnel or tactically, may therefore be required.

PHIL PARKINSON’S DENVER HUME DECISION PAYS OFF

The calls for Declan John grew louder this week but, credit to Parkinson, he kept faith with Hume.

And it was a decision that paid off as the youngster put in the kind of display that had seen him become a key player.

Indeed, in IMAGE TWO you can see the impact Hume had – finding himself in space inside the box to pick up deep crosses and create chances for the side’s attacking players.

Here’s hoping that continues.