---
title: "Sunderland: Will Grigg’s pre-season form has Phil Parkinson pleased"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sunderland-will-griggs-pre-season-form-has-phil-parkinson-pleased/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Crump"
section: "League One News"
published: "2020-08-24T15:30:21Z"
modified: "2020-08-24T15:30:21Z"
---

# Sunderland: Will Grigg’s pre-season form has Phil Parkinson pleased

**Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has [praised](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/phil-parkinson-reacts-will-griggs-encouraging-cameo-sunderlands-striker-hunt-continues-2950390) striker Will Grigg for his start to pre-season which saw him score against Gateshead in a friendly at the weekend.**

After moving to Wearside in [January 2019](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47086441), former Wigan Athletic striker Grigg has had the spotlight firmly on him, seeing his move heavily documented via Netflix series [*Sunderland Til I Die.*](https://www.netflix.com/title/80207046)

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292828″\]

Featuring regularly for the Black Cats through the 2019/2020 season, the 29-year-old has failed to find consistent form, with just [one goal and one assist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/will-grigg/profil/spieler/106676) to his name.

Despite that poor form, Grigg’s start to pre-season has left an impression after he produced a good cameo performance against Gateshead at the weekend.

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

Touching on Grigg’s performance after the win over Gateshead, Parkinson [said](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/football/sunderland-afc/phil-parkinson-reacts-will-griggs-encouraging-cameo-sunderlands-striker-hunt-continues-2950390): *“I’m pleased, \[with Will’s performance\] obviously. All Will could do was come back in the shape that he has done. He’s fitter than he’s been for a very long time.”*

The pre-season fixture saw Sunderland run out 3-1 winners as Chris Maguire and Josh Scowen also got themselves on the scoresheet.

Sunderland fan website [Roker Report](https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2020/8/22/21376970/player-ratings-gateshead-1-3-sunderland-parkinsons-men-record-comfortable-victory-away-to-gateshead) looked deeper into the game and handed Grigg a rating of 7/10, commenting on his goal and assist for Scowen’s strike.

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

If, and it is a big if, Will Grigg can turn his fortunes round at Sunderland then Phil Parkinson will have a superb option on his hands. Indeed, this is a player who has [101 League One goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/will-grigg/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/106676) to his name in his career to date.

That said, it is worth remembering that they were playing Gateshead at the weekend, not a League One side so his performance has to be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage.

But all he can do is score goals when given the opportunity, so this is certainly a good start from the 29-year-old.

***Can Phil Parkinson rely on Will Grigg next season to find consistent goalscoring form? Let us know in the comments section below…***