Ed’s message [Martin]: We’ve had loads of emails in over the past week or two, and they’re all echoing the same sentiment.
It’s really important to represent the views of the whole fanbase, so if you think Parky should stay, we’d love to hear from you. And if you don’t, we’d still love to hear from you, too.
Anyway, enjoy today’s selection of fan letters!
Dear Roker Report,
This manager is clueless if we’re winning 1-0. We have five subs available and uses only two – and one of those in the 92nd minute!
He did the same last year and look what happened. He doesn’t know how to change things.
Pre season he played the young players who did really well, then when the season started he went back to same team that did crap last season. Clueless.
Ann Leblond
Ed’s Note [Martin]: The in-game management during the second half on Saturday was abysmal, wasn’t it? Parkinson was apparently in favour of the five subs rule being introduced – it certainly didn’t look that way at Doncaster.
The continued exclusion of the likes of Diamond and Neil is frustrating – we’re nearing Christmas and they’ve barely played.
His whole management of the team is becoming incredibly frustrating.
Dear Roker Report,
I’ve just read Ann’s letter [Ed - Ann wrote in earlier in the week telling us how she’s decided to switch the TV off when Sunderland are playing] and I admit that my son and I have come to the same decision.
The performances this year are so bad that they are ruining our weekends.
My wife gave up when Methven criticised the fans after the play-off defeat and we are going to wait for change of ownership/manager before watching live games again.
Football is part of the entertainment business and is a relatively simple game that is over complicated by people.
Quite simply, motivate your players to work hard in a formation they understand and in the position they are best at.
The best teams rarely change tactics, and if we were led more positively I genuinely believe we would score more, win more and entertain more.
We have the best supporters, best facilities, best academy and highest wage bill in the League. Instead of playing like a poor man’s Liverpool or Man City we have chosen to play like Burnley or dare I say Newcastle.
You might argue they have to in the Premier League but surely we don’t have to in League One.
I’ve never felt so despondent in over 50 years of watching Sunderland.
Peter Laverick
Ed’s Note [Martin]: It’s certainly a trying time at present isn’t it Peter – with everything else going on in the world I had hope being able to watch SAFC would provide some light relief, but it just piles on the agony at time. Even when we win we’re not doing so in style.
The fans have put up with a lot – as you say, Methven’s comments during his time here will no doubt have put some people off – but if the football was exciting and we looked as if we were building something you’d be more inclined to watch again.
Unfortunately, under Parkinson, we’re nowhere near.
Change is needed at all levels – and fast. Otherwise we are going to lose generations of supporters.
Dear Roker Report,
Only because the club is in the middle of takeover is Sunderland’s worst-ever manager still in charge.
Donald employed this man to put the club in a position to be in contention for automatic promotion – he has no chance of achieving this with his tactics and team selection.
The new five sub rule and how use it effectively baffled him – that shows how out of touch he is with the modern game.
The club has gone backwards not forwards, his comments on Saturday were baffling. We played well?
What game over 90mins was he watching?
We can not finish teams off with his old-fashioned tactics – that’s a fact.
The players are even talking his garbage. Gooch said against MK Dons, ‘nothing to worry about we are creating chances.”
Lynden, hello! If you don’t take them you don’t win games in any form of football.
he club’s next manager – which will be sooner rather than later – has to be younger with a fresh modern, outlook to the game and demand players play for the shirt.
I think personally he will be foreign.
Wolves took a gamble on their coach we have to do the same.
We’ve tried experience – look where it’s got us: in the doldrums.
The next few weeks are crucial. Get this clueless man out and start something that’s going to excite the fans. We need it after this terrible year.
Take care
Mark Wild
Ed’s Note [Martin]: I completely agree we need change, and we need it now. Regardless of any takeover happening, we need to make a switch. Every game we keep him, the more unlikely going up is this season. We’ve got the players to get promoted – the manager’s letting them down.