---
title: "Sunderland: Darren Ferguson heaps praise on Phil Parkinson"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/darren-ferguson-praise-phil-parkinson/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-09-24T15:50:58Z"
modified: "2020-09-24T15:50:58Z"
---

# Sunderland: Darren Ferguson heaps praise on Phil Parkinson

**Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson has [heaped praise](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/peterborough-boss-darren-ferguson-offers-his-honest-verdict-sunderland-phil-parkinson-and-promotion-race-2981729) on the shoulders of his Sunderland counterpart Phil Parkinson ahead of the weekend’s League One fixture.**

Both Sunderland and Peterborough are seen as promotion favourites this season after [both coming close in 2019/20](https://www.skysports.com/league-1-table/2019) but, heading into the weekend fixture, the latter have had a difficult start to the season. Two draws see Ferguson’s side sit 15th in the League One standings, whilst Sunderland have managed to gain one draw and a victory, beating Oxford United 2-0 last weekend.

A result for either on Saturday could give them the momentum to push forward with their hopes of gaining promotion to the Championship.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Talking ahead of the game, Peterborough boss Ferguson has been showering praise on Parkinson, telling Peterborough Telegraph as quoted by [Sunderland Echo](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/peterborough-boss-darren-ferguson-offers-his-honest-verdict-sunderland-phil-parkinson-and-promotion-race-2981729):

*“Sunderland have started well, got a good win last week and they have an abundance of possibilities up front.*

*“We won’t be fearing them, we will respect them and we will go there hoping to win the game.*

*“They have a very experienced group of players and they have an experienced management team in Phil and Steve.*

*“They do a good job. The expectations at Sunderland never change, especially in this league.* *They have been at this level for three years and they want to get out of League One.*

*“It is not easy to get out of this league, and it will be a tough game for both teams I think.”*

A win for Sunderland on Saturday could the Black Cats go [top of League One](https://www.skysports.com/league-1-table/2020) depending on results elsewhere.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Sunderland have certainly had a better start to the season than Peterborough but that should not act as a guarantee that they will win this one.

Ferguson’s side may have stumbled in their opening two games but remember that they have [come very close to promotion](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/peterborough-united/platzierungen/verein/1072) over the last few seasons.

This game will certainly be an interesting one to watch…

***Who do you think will win between Peterborough and Sunderland? Let us know your predictions in the comments section below…***