Denver Hume sends Phil Parkinson a transfer message as Sunderland's old failing returns against Peterborough United
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We take a look at the six key conclusions that can be taken from the game:
Denver Hume has sent a clear transfer message to Phil Parkinson
It’s no secret that Sunderland need another left-back, and they have done all summer.
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Hide AdBut the debate has long been whether they should bring someone in to seriously challenge Denver Hume, or somebody who will act as an understudy to the academy graduate.
And with his last two performances, Hume has sent a clear message to his manager: opt for the latter.
The wing-back was the Black Cats’ brightest attacking outlet at Oxford and put in a similarly impressive performance against Peterborough.
While his delivery has been questioned in the past, he put in a number of teasing balls in both games and asked plenty of questions of two stubborn opposition defences.
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Hide AdDefensively, too, he has improved and he looks far better equipped to deal with the physical side of things in the third tier.
Parkinson singled the 22-year-old out for praise in the build-up game, saying he had become a man during the enforced break in League One action.
Indeed, the improvement has been noticeable – and long may it continue.
Bailey Wright was worth the wait
It was the will-he-won’t-he saga of the summer, but Sunderland’s desire and patience to seal a deal for Bailey Wright is reaping rewards.
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Hide AdThe Australian had no shortage of admirers this summer and it was something of a coup for the Black Cats to lure him back to League One.
And they’ll be extremely glad he did given his start to the season, after yet another impressive display against Peterborough.
For the most part, he dealt with a tricky frontline well and lead by example having taken the captain’s armband due to the absence of Max Power.
It’s now seven clean sheets in nine appearances for Wright and, while that percentage is unlikely to be maintained throughout a testing campaign, it certainly makes for positive reading at the moment.
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Hide AdGrant Leadbitter is now one of the first names on the teamsheet
It’s a scenario which seemed unlikely only a couple of weeks ago, but the experienced midfielder has been excellent in the last two weeks.
Against Bristol Rovers, when Sunderland trailed, they lacked some composure on the ball and looked to rush things – playing with an intensity that saw them needlessly spurn chances.
They needed someone to put their foot on the ball, to clam things down and break down play.
Leadbitter has been doing that, and much more, since his return to the side.
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Hide AdHis goal and subsequent clearance off the line at the other end will earn the plaudits from the win over Peterborough, but his all-round display was once again a positive one.
Now, he looks unlikely to drop out the team any time soon.
Lee Burge will take confidence from a second successive clean sheet
The departure of Jon McLaughlin was always going to leave a major void to fill, but Lee Burge is starting to show why he was so highly-rated at Coventry City.
His opening day display against Bristol Rovers was shaky to say the least, while at Oxford United there was the odd moment of madness amid a mostly comfortable display.
And while Burge’s showing against the Posh wasn’t perfect – one unconvincing early save almost handed Jonson Clarke-Harris a real chance – he should take plenty of encouragement from a second consecutive clean sheet.
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Hide AdHe made some strong stops, impressively denying Sammie Szmodics in the first half while also keeping Jack Taylor at bay late on.
The number one shirt is his, and here’s hoping Burge can keep kicking on in the coming weeks.
Set-pieces must improve
How many times have we sat and said this over recent years?
Sunderland had eight corners against Peterborough, but not one of them yielded anything resembling a chance.
That should be a concern given the likes of Chris Maguire, Josh Scowen and Leadbitter all posses a strong delivery from set-pieces and in Bailey Wright, Jordan Willis, Tom Flanagan and Charlie Wyke there were a number of viable targets.
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Hide AdIn games of this nature, where things were extremely cagey, set-pieces can prove the difference.
Sunderland, therefore, need to improve in this department – and cannot allow this old failing to continue to haunt them.
It won’t be this way every week
This wasn’t convincing, but it was a win that will stand Sunderland in good stead.
But it’s important to remember, it won’t be this way every week.
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Hide AdIn a rocky opening twenty minutes, the Black Cats rode their luck on occasion – and you would have to think a sharper, fitter Clarke-Harris would have buried some of the early chances that came his way.
To grind out a win in this manner is pleasing in isolation, but it cannot be allowed to become the norm.
Sunderland need to ensure their performance levels, particularly in the final third, improve in the coming weeks.
There will be tougher tests to come and Sunderland will need to be sharper, more creative and more penetrative in attacking situations to ensure they take the chances that will come their way.
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Hide AdThat’s easier said than done, of course, but we cannot allow this result to mask there areas of the Wearsdiers’ performance that ought to be better.