PP PRE COV/GAFFER ON CORONAVIRUS/KIT DEAL WITH NIKE
Updated: Jul 19
It’s a big weekend for Sunderland as we head to St Andrews to face second placed Coventry. A win would see us leap ahead of them on goal difference. Phil Parkinson has been previewing the game. “I have looked at this game similarly to the one against Doncaster around the Christmas period. We took a large away following and it is important we go there with the mentality to play as the home team. We are at our best when we are in the ascendancy, on the front foot and as positive as possible all over the pitch. Our mindset is that we are ready to go to the last game of the season – mentally and physically. It is now full on and the team that can maintain the intensity levels, play with belief and confidence on the ball and play when the pressure is on that will get promoted. We have got a very driven group who have worked very hard to get into this position. Now it is a case of moving it up another gear and really pushing on.”
In other news, with the international break due over the weekend of March 28, Phil Parkinson has been monitoring the Coronavirus situation in terms of players travelling abroad with their countries. Parkinson said: "We've had a meeting with our doctor earlier in the week. With the international break coming up we'll have players travelling abroad. We're discussing not just the ones away on international duty, but if we do give the lads a couple of days off, there is issues. We're closely monitoring the situation ourselves. But the players have got to be sensible too. If anyone was to go away but couldn't get back into the country it wouldn't look very good on us as a club, or them as individuals. Hopefully things will improve, but at the moment there is no sign of that."
Elsewhere and the club have announced a new kit deal with Nike. Hopefully we’ll be wearing their shirts in the Championship. Stewart Donald said: “This is an incredibly exciting deal for the club, and I’m delighted to welcome Nike back to the SAFC family. Our colours and kit are steeped in proud tradition, and we look forward to showing supporters our bespoke designs ahead of the 2020-21 season. Nike’s presence is already woven into the fabric of our club, and indeed within sport around the globe, and they are renowned for innovation and excellence. We look forward to collaborating with them throughout what is sure to be a successful partnership.”
Duncan Malins from Nike TEAM added: “We are extremely excited and proud to be partnering up with Sunderland AFC again. Sunderland itself is an important location within Nike’s history in the UK, with offices still based within the city. We look forward to an amazing partnership with the club and delivering amazing product for the fans.”
