Another horrible night for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light saw Leicester City Under 21s take all three points in their final EFL Trophy clash.
The Black Cats made the final of the competition last season, but a strong team fell 2-1 to Leicester on a wholly unforgettable evening.
The home side went ahead in the first half through Chris Maguire, but saw the game turn in the second period when George Hirst and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both struck to hand the youngsters the win.
With Tom Flanagan, Marc McNulty, Laurens de Bock and Connor McLaughlin in the side, the hosts should have breezed through but were truly humbled by their youthful counterparts.
De Bock admitted it wasn’t satisfactory, saying; “The goals we conceded were too easy and it’s wasn’t good enough.”
Manager Phil Parkinson agreed, saying; “We were too open, we left the centre of the pitch exposed and we looked vulnerable on the break.”
Words are easy to find after a defeat, but the fact is Sunderland have struggled to find a rhythm this season and if any of these players wanted to strengthen their first-team chances, they missed a great opportunity.
Some fans feel that’s the subliminal message Parkinson sent out in his post-match interview.
Read between the lines of what he is saying. They didn’t listen to my instructions and you’ll not be seeing some of those players much this season.
— Graeme Field (@Fieldo100) November 5, 2019
Completely agree. He’s livid, and with good reason. De Bock is surely finished here, and although I’ve backed him to the hilt, I think McGeouch will be heading back to Scotland in January. Parkinson strikes me as someone who won’t tolerate driftwood in the club.
— Philip West (@Philip_RJ89) November 5, 2019
Not his fault whatsoever, people blaming Parkinson needs their heads shaking
— David Hindmarsh (@DavidHindmarsh7) November 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Shaun19948296/status/1191981174551388160
4 loses in 6 games mate! This isn't acceptable!
— WillTucker_16 (@SafcT16) November 5, 2019
A blind man on a pit pony knows you are gonna get smashed on the break with Mcgeouch and Leadbitter in middle of field. They both look like they are running in treacle
— JB (@pootzwar) November 5, 2019
Disappointing? More like worrying. Going backwards rapidly.
— Chris Owen (@owencp71) November 5, 2019
