Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has suggested that his side have to create more opportunities and sustain their performances until the final whistle in games. 

The Black Cats conceded an 89th-minute winner against Gillingham on the weekend to continue what has been a difficult start to life at the Stadium of Light for Parkinson.

Since he took charge, Sunderland have lost seven times and won just twice in 12 games.

That run of poor form has seen the North East side get knocked out of three competitions and slip down to 11th in League One–five points from the top six and 10 points from the automatic promotion places.

They face a difficult visit from fourth-place Blackpool on Saturday and, speaking ahead of the game Parkinson identified what Sunderland needed to change.

Via the club's official Twitter account, he said: "Everybody knows in the recent games we haven't created enough or been able to sustain performances throughout the 90 minutes. We have to find the balance to be more threatening."

The 52-year-old added that he was hoping that some of his returning players could help improve the side.

He said: "I think there is more to come from players who have come back onto the training pitch. Charlie (Wyke) and McNulty, Gooch. I'm confident there is more to come."

The Sunderland boss will likely be hoping to make some additions to the squad and begin to shape the squad during the January transfer window.

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The Verdict

Parkinson is bang on here–despite having less possession, Gillingham had more than double the number of shots that the Black Cats at Priestfield on Saturday and eventually got their goal late on.

They need to get their season back on track because the automatic promotion places almost look out of sight already and they're now slipping away from the top six.

Parkinson needs to pick up some wins and get the fans back on side heading into the January transfer window.