Phil Parkinson has given a balanced take on Sunderland’s 5-3 EFL Trophy victory over Carlisle United on Tuesday night.
A brace from Chris Maguire, along with goals from Denver Hume, Charlie Wyke and Jack Diamond secured another three points in the Lads’ Northern section Group A progress.
“It was good to get some goals, so I’m pleased with that,” the manager said.
“At the start it was slack, then we controlled it and went in at half-time ahead. Then we went into a 4-1 lead and after that, it was a lesson for us all, because we got slack again.
“We were sloppy at times on the ball, and some of our decisions off the ball weren’t right. All of a sudden it’s 4-3 and game on – but then it was a great finish from Jack to finish the game off. We have to take lessons from games and our attacking play was good, but equally we have to keep concentrated and professional.”
Parkinson looked to previous matches this season – featuring a higher number of senior players – as an example of the knowhow shown which can prove to be something to build upon for the younger squad members.
“If you look at our game at Oxford, we played with real nous, and that’s what we have to educate in particular the young players – it’s a good learning curve for them.
“When you’re winning, the game is never over. You have to keep doing things right, and we just went away from that slightly and could’ve been punished.
“But credit must go to the lads, because they dug in and went on to get the fifth.”
The gaffer acknowledged the threat posed by Chris Beech’s Cumbrians – especially in a physical sense – which made the game tougher to navigate than the group opener against a youthful Aston Villa outfit, which the Black Cats won 8-1 last month.
“It was a good test here because with Villa we were against an Under-23 team, but tonight we faced a more rugged League Two side.
“Carlisle were physical, threatening from set-plays which we had to deal with, and that’s the type of football you don’t get an U23 level – so it was a good occasion for the lads who played.
“We wanted to go into the international break seven games unbeaten, and we’re pleased we’ve been able to do that. Now we can regroup, get some training into the lads who need some work, and some rest for the others ahead of Swindon a week on Saturday.”
Parkinson finally credited each of the goalscorers for their impact on the night, and outlined the importance of goal contribution from all over the pitch amongst his side.
“It was good for Chris and Charlie to get on the scoresheet. Griggy got a knock which meant Chris went from being on the bench to starting, and he took his chance with two good goals.
“I’m pleased for Charlie, a good striker’s goal, following it in. It was also a great move down that left-hand side for Denver’s goal, and I’m really happy for him, along with Jack who got the fifth – it’ll do him the world of good.
“It’s important we’re getting the wing-backs in those positions, and then producing when they’re there.”