'We cannot keep missing chances' - Phil Parkinson has strong message for his misfiring Sunderland forwards

Sunderland have only managed 15 goals in League One so far this term, with only Charlton out of the top nine sides scoring fewer goals with 14.

Charlie Wyke is the only Sunderland forward to have consistently found the back of the net this campaign, with Chris Maguire also chipping in, but Parkinson wants to see a sharp improvement elsewhere ahead of the league clash with Doncaster. Danny Graham, Will Grigg and Aiden O’Brien are yet to score in the league.

Parkinson, under-fire from fans after the 2-1 home defeat to MK Dons, said: “We got a great start, took a while to play with the quality we needed to in the first half, we got into our stride well and then disappointed to concede a goal.

“Livid with the goal we conceded after the break, three mistakes but the bottom line is we cannot keep missing chances in the six-yard box and expect to win football matches.

“We had three, four, five moments where we needed either a finish from close in or a better decision to go and win that game comfortably.

“To say that is frustrating is a massive understatement.”

Will Grigg, recalled to the starting line-up, missed a golden opportunity from inside the six-yard box against MK Dons and Parkinson is fully aware that Sunderland’s problems in front of goal have become an all-too familiar pattern, and one that needs to change sooner rather than later.

Parkinson added: “We are talking about moments that have to go in the back of the net.

“We have to be harder with ourselves as a group and when in those positions, produce.

“I believe we will get those goals, but it has been quite a sustained run where we haven’t.

“I keep saying our expected goals is a lot higher than our actual goals scored because of the chances created, we have to keep doing the right things, the movement, getting in those areas and being brave and getting in the area, make sure the next one goes in the back of the net.

“We can all count a lot of moments in recent weeks and that has got to stop.”

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