This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Phil Parkinson hasn’t had a great deal of joy since arriving at Sunderland but youngster Brandon Taylor has singled him out for praise despite only working with him for a short period of time.
What did he say?
Taylor was handed his Sunderland debut by Parkinson in the FA Cup first round replay match away at Gillingham, and the 20-year-old formed part of a defence which kept a clean sheet for more than 90 minutes.
The clash ended up in the opposition’s favour, as it has all too often since the Black Cats’ boss arrived in the north-east, but behind-the-scenes there seems to be some progress being made.
Parkinson has nurtured several young players throughout his career such as Nahki Wells and Dale Stephens, and in the last few months of his Bolton reign had to draft the academy team into his first-team plans.
He knows what it takes to manage such individuals, therefore, and Taylor believes his skills are paying off for his own benefit, and that of fellow youngsters, with Lee Connelly and Jack Bainbridge also part of the matchday squad against the Gills.
Speaking to club’s matchday programme, as reported by the Sunderland Echo, Taylor said:
“Since the new manager came in, he’s been excellent for me; he’s been very supportive and always has time for the younger lads.
“The gaffer was telling me before the game to go out, enjoy it and express myself, and I feel like I did that. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity and hopefully if I keep my head down in training and keep working hard more chances will come my way.”
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Path of opportunity
With several first-team players underperforming it is vital that Parkinson makes the most of the different options available to him, and that means calling on young players to perform.
So far he has managed them well by gradually easing them into first-team affairs. The same was done for Josh Maja and George Honeyman, both of whom became important players before being sold, and there is no reason why others can’t follow in their footsteps.
Parkinson has also done well not to rush them in, as it can be difficult for young players to adapt and cope well when things aren’t going their way, and at the moment Sunderland can’t seem to buy a win.
Despite the stakes, Parkinson has kept a cool head throughout and his words to relieve Taylor of any pressure say a lot about his managerial style and the faith he places in his players.
Results may not be as everyone wishes but there are positive signs to take, and the manager’s willingness to dish out chances to players means they are likely to stay, and other youngsters are more likely to join, as they can see a visible path to the first-team
That’s what the club needs to progress, and if Parkinson continues to show time and patience to his players then he should be rewarded in the long run.
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