Sunderland manager Phil Parkinson has defended his decision to bring both Antoine Semenyo and Josh Scowen into the starting line-up following the Black Cats’ 2-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers.

Sunderland had managed to take just two points from their last three League One matches heading into their meeting with Bristol Rovers, and Parkinson made the decision to freshen the side up a little bringing Semenyo into the side in the front three and Scowen into the midfield alongside Max Power.

Both Semenyo and Scowen were making their first starts for the Black Cats since their respective January moves, with the pair having had to bide their time to earn a place in the side given the form of Parkinson’s side since the turn of the year, but they were unable to help Sunderland get back to winning ways.

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Speaking to the Northern Echo following the Black Cats’ defeat at Bristol Rovers, Parkinson defended his decision to bring them into the starting line-up and suggested that they were amongst Sunderland’s most promising of performers on Tuesday night.

He said: "First of all I feel sorry for them because they did alright. They have had to wait patiently for their chance. I changed the team and that was my gut feeling. I certainly don’t think the changes contributed to the defeat."

The verdict

You can certainly see why Parkinson believes that his decision to bring both Semenyo and Scowen into the side was not a contributing factor to their defeat at Bristol Rovers, with the Black Cats delivering an all-round performance which was lacking in quality to take anything from the game.

The pair delivered some of Sunderland’s most encouraging performances, with Semenyo working hard to create chances and make a difference in the final third and Scowen producing an industrious display in the middle of the park.

However, both players would have been hoping to perhaps have done a little more to really make their marks on the side, having had to remain patient during the first few months of the New Year, which has been understandable given Sunderland’s form before the last four matches.

Parkinson’s comments though suggest that both players have done enough to remain in contention to keep their places in the starting line-up, and they will both be hoping to help get the Black Cats back to winning ways when they take on Blackpool on Saturday.