Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has condemned suggestions that his side should find it more difficult to play at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats’ famous ground is the biggest in League One by some margin and although they are unbeaten at home this season, it has not become the fortress many fans had hoped for.
A home draw against Coventry was their second in five matches at home and another failure to secure all three points has left Sunderland down in 10th, three points of sixth-places Oxford United.
In a press conference, Parkinson said that instead of the stature of the club and Stadium, bravery should be inspiring the players to victory as he bids to get the club back to the Championship after a defeat in the play-off semi-finals last season.
Inside Futbol reports that Parkinson said: “It’s an excuse to say the Stadium of Light is a difficult place for us to play.
”If the lads show commitment and bravery in their play then our fans will get right behind us.”
Sunderland’s next match is tonight against Burton Albion who famously sent the Black Cats down to League One with a 2-1 win at the Stadium of Light in April 2018.
He expressed the importance of ensuring his team get all three points so they don’t lose any more ground on the top six.
Parkinson said: “We know tomorrow is an important match.
“We have a 10-day break after this so it’s an important night for us.
“It’s a game we must perform well in and hopefully that will be enough to get three points.”
