Sunderland produced another sub standard display as new manager Phil Parkinson’s opening game away at Wycombe ended in defeat. The Wearsiders were for the most part outclassed by the highflying Chairboys as they fell to a 1-0 loss.
Parkinson had only been appointed to the job on Thursday following the sacking of Jack Ross but his opening team selection certainly sprung a few surprises. The most noteable of which saw recalls for Denver Hume and Lee Burge among others with the likes of Lynden Gooch, Chris Maguire, Marc McNulty and regular keeper Jon McClaughlin all beginning on the bench.
Despite all these alterations Parkinson’s new look side started slowly with the home side making much the better start. They were almost rewarded with the opening goal but Burge produced a fine save to tip Joe Jacobsen freekick over the bar.
However, the Sunderland stopper was left helpless just minutes later when Darius Charles volleyed home following a freekick to give the hosts a fully deserved lead.
Even with this strike the visitors’ performance continued to stagnate with chances at a premium. Although Connor McClaughlin fired wide when well placed in their best moment of the match.
Wycombe continued to create chances but despite Dominic Gape, Rolando Aarons and Adebayo Akinfenwa all going close they just couldn’t find that killer second. They were almost made to pay for it in the final couple of minutes of stoppage time but Ryan Allsop produced a moment of brilliance to turn Aiden McGeady’s stunning effort onto the crossbar.
In the end, the home side would hold on and Sunderland would fall to a deserved defeat as they fall a worrying seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places already.
Despite the defeat at Adams Park, no blame should be passed onto manager Parkinson who only took over at the Stadium of Light on Thursday, giving him less than two full days to meet the players and prepare for this match.
