RR: What do Bolton fans think of Phil Parkinson? LOVS: He’s well respected by the majority of Bolton Wanderers fans. His first two seasons were great. To get us promoted to The Championship at the first time of asking and then to keep us up the following year, all whilst being under a transfer embargo, was remarkable. His last season was disappointing. A mixture of poor results and an awful brand of football meant many fans were calling for his head. Although, off field issues took a toll on matters on the pitch. The way he conducted himself during the final months of administration ensure he’ll be fondly remembered. RR: What style of football does he play? Would it excite Sunderland supporters? LOVS: He plays a brand of football that whilst not necessarily being eye catching, is effective, especially in League One. At Bolton, he favoured a 4-2-3-1, playing to the strengths of a target man as the focal point of attack. RR: Parkinson managed Bolton under some challenging circumstances. Do you think he’d be able to manage the expectations of a club like Sunderland? LOVS: Absolutely. He had to deal with a transfer embargo and still managed to drag us to promotion. He only signed one player for cash during his three year with us, so with a budget in place I’m sure he could do the job. please log in to view this image Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images RR: What kind of manager is Phil? LOVS: One who says it how it is. RR: Is he an ‘arm round the shoulder’ type? Disciplinarian? Bit of everything? LOVS: He’s probably a mixture of the two. A fantastic motivator! RR: One of the criticisms levelled at the previous manager was that he wasn’t charismatic enough and, ultimately, we saw the relationship between the fans and the gaffer deteriorate slowly. Sunderland need someone that will come in and lift the place immediately, bringing everyone back together. Is Parkinson capable of having that kind of effect? Did he ever do something similar at Bolton? LOVS: Certainly at the beginning of his tenure, he lifted the spirits around the club. Many of the players who were responsible for our awful relegation remained (Likes of David Wheater, Jay Spearing) & he was able to turn fans opinions of them. He brought a real good feeling to the club when the season prior had been such a disaster. RR: What would you say to any Sunderland fan who isn’t sure that Phil Parkinson would be a good enough manager for us? LOVS: He may not seem like a fashionable choice, though you can’t deny he has the right experience to get a job done in this division. He got Colchester promoted and us promoted despite a transfer embargo. There aren’t many managers with his CV free and available. Whether he’s the right man after promotion is a decision for another day. But if you’re looking for promotion, Phil Parkinson deserves the chance to do it.
What a crock of ****. I suppose it’s chest out, hold back the tears and give the fella our support until he’s now worth it time. Always the club first, he did a good job at Bradford. Where’s that massive bag of straws again?
I won't get behind him, dont want him, his record is ****, none of his teams have been promoted in his first season. He is a shocking appointment. Nothing like saying we are skint. I officially now hate SD & Co
My immediate and honest thoughts are we are stuck in this league for another year, and where does that leave us? We have a lack of quality in the squad and we needed a manager who is going to change the way we play, the thought process, everything. Replacing a hoofball merchant with a hoofball merchant on the cheap changes nothing. The league already knows how to stop us winning, evidenced over the last season and a quarter. The owners have ****ed this one. Royally ****ed it. There is nothing on his CV that suggests he is anywhere near what we were looking for or needed. Everything here screams ‘cheap as ****’. It matches everything coming out of the club. I shudder to think who makes our kits next season, and what pittance they pay us for that dubious honour. Am I overreacting? I don’t believe I am. There’s options there that fit the needs (Stendel) or would galvanise the club and fans (Nige & Kev). They went for a Poundland punt.
I didnt expect such a meltdown here tbh.....I think its a safe & decent appointment from somebody whos done it before. Much more capable than Jack Ross 10 fold
A truly terrible appointment if it happens. Absolutely shockingly bad. I’m struggling to think of an appointment that could be worse. Probably bringing Buxton back.