SLOWLY but surely, the sands are shifting. When Phil Parkinson headed for the tunnel at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day, with the jeers of a crowd baying for the appointment of Kevin Phillips ringing in his ears, it felt as though Sunderland’s implosion on his watch was irreversible. A week-and-a-half on, and while it would be premature to suggest that all the wrongs have been righted, things have definitely begun to turn.

A haul of seven points from three matches has lifted the Black Cats to within a point of the play-off places and extended the club’s current unbeaten run to five games. More than that, though, the last three outings suggest Parkinson is finally getting to grips with the deficiencies that plagued the first two months of his reign, and also hampered much of Sunderland’s evolution under his predecessor, Jack Ross.

A new system, based around three central defenders and wing-backs bombing up and down the flanks, has been successfully embedded. A consistency of selection has emerged, suggesting Parkinson has settled on his best starting XI and is reluctant to change it unless absolutely necessary. A side devoid of organisation and energy suddenly boasts both, with Sunderland’s players looking fitter and sharper than has been the case for much of their time in League One. As a result, key performers such as Chris Maguire, Lynden Gooch and Max Power are returning to form.

There is still much to do, and the mini-revival will receive an early acid test this weekend when league leaders Wycombe Wanderers visit Wearside. Lose that, and it will be back to square one. For now, though, it would be churlish not to bask in a rare moment of optimism. After so much darkness, finally a chink of light.

“We can still get better, but there is momentum building in the group,” said Parkinson. “It’s been an excellent Christmas period for us. I knew this Christmas period was key for us. I feel there is momentum building in the group, I really do. There is a tightness and a good spirit. The supporters could see that from the way we played here, and also those that travelled away to Doncaster and Fleetwood.”

Perhaps it was always going to take Parkinson more time than most envisaged to begin to turn things around. When he replaced Ross, the former Bolton and Bradford boss inherited a squad devoid of confidence, riven by factions that have only really become apparent in the last month or so, and containing a number of players ill-suited to the style he was keen to introduce.

Sifting through the wreckage has been an emotionally-exhausting process, stretching the patience of the Sunderland fanbase to its limits. But while some supporters will always be opposed to the appointment of a figure they feel is beneath their club’s lofty ambitions, there is a sense that others are gradually beginning to soften. Parkinson cannot work miracles. But he knows what is required in League One, and slowly but surely, is moulding a team that looks well suited to the demands of the division it finds itself in. Make two or three astute additions this month, and things should get even better.

“I would say that if the manager could come in and click his fingers and it would all suddenly be great, then with the greatest respect, he probably wouldn’t be managing Sunderland,” said Tom Flanagan, whose headed goal opened the scoring against Lincoln. “He’d be somewhere at a higher level than ourselves.

“It takes time. I think the boys were underachieving in their performances previously, everyone was, and that took a bit of confidence away. I think he’s installed a bit of confidence, but it did take a little bit of time.

“We are probably lucky that the league is how the league is, otherwise we maybe would be adrift. We’ve lost quite a few games this season, but we’re still well in there. That’s just the league, and probably a bit of luck on our behalf.”

Sunderland have undoubtedly benefited from the failings of others, most notably Ipswich Town, who are sinking like a stone, and Peterborough United, whose stellar array of attacking talent is rendered somewhat irrelevant by a dreadful defence.

Six points off the top two with a game in hand, the Black Cats remain in the automatic-promotion race despite having gone nine games without a victory in all competitions prior to their success at Doncaster.

Their own improvement should not be downplayed though, with Parkinson’s switch of systems having been key. Fielding three centre-halves has improved Sunderland’s defensive solidity, bolstering the heart of the backline and relieving the pressure on those attempting to cover at the base of midfield. It has also had the added benefit of enabling Denver Hume and Luke O’Nien to play as wing-backs, a move that undoubtedly plays to their strengths. Positive and energetic on the front foot, the pair’s defensive frailties are no longer as much of an issue.

“I think the system really suits us,” said Flanagan. “I’m not a manager, but I think it would be silly to come in and try to play a system we don’t have the personnel to carry out.

“I think we’re maybe changing people’s perception of this five at the back, and proving it is a three at the back. That’s certainly the case when you look at the way Denver gets forward, and the crosses he puts in the box, and we’re able to keep him high up the pitch. That’s all the manager’s work that’s paying off.

“When we set the team up in training, we’re three at the back and five in midfield, and I think that’s important. People automatically look at the names on the team sheet, and because Luke and Denver have played at full-back, they think it is a five at the back. But I wouldn’t say that at all, and hopefully we’re changing a few people’s minds.”

Further forward, Maguire and Gooch are clearly relishing the freedom afforded by a system that enables them to drift around the pitch in support of Charlie Wyke, who acts as the focal point as a central striker.

The pair were the catalysts for Sunderland’s success at the weekend, pressuring Lincoln’s defenders from the off and forcing a series of errors that meant the game was effectively up by half-time.

Maguire set up his side’s first goal, delivering a teasing corner that Flanagan glanced home from close range, and was also responsible for the second, closing down Lincoln goalkeeper Josh Vickers and prompting a panicked attempt at a square ball from inside the Imps’ six-yard box. The ball cannoned off Maguire, enabling Gooch to out-jump Michael Bostwick to head home.

Six minutes later, and Gooch was scoring again, galloping on to Jon McLaughlin’s long clearance before calmly slotting a low finish into the bottom corner.

Lincoln claimed a second-half consolation when Tyler Walker tapped home after Harry Anderson out-muscled Hume, but while Sunderland eased off after the break, they would have restored their three-goal lead had Power’s long-range shot not clipped the crossbar.

“It’s showing over the Christmas period that what the manager is getting us to do, we’re doing a lot better,” said Flanagan. “It’s been coming, and it’s nice to start getting the results now.”