A FIVE-MATCH unbeaten run has reignited Sunderland’s hopes of a promotion surge, but Phil Parkinson wants his players to stay on track by staying off social media.

Without issuing a ban to his players from monitoring what is being said amongst fans on the likes of Facebook and Twitter, the Sunderland boss has already issued the recommendation.

It is easy for Parkinson because he insists that he has always taken the decision to steer clear of outside influencers in fear that it will distract him from what is required throughout his time in management.

But he has come to realise that the level of interest in Sunderland is far greater than what he has experienced so far in his managerial career, having had lengthy spells with Colchester, Bradford and Bolton.

Over the last six weeks he has been made aware of criticism aimed at him and his players, while he also knows his squad and his backroom staff could get caught up in the off-the-field matters that have caused a stir at the Stadium of Light more recently.

The club’s owner Stewart Donald made the decision to come off social media following criticism of him, while it was supporters’ group with a heavy internet presence contributed majorly to him going public with his decision to try to sell up.

But Parkinson has tried hard to just focus on performances and results during that period, and that has seen Sunderland collect seven points from the last nine going in to today’s visit of leaders Wycombe sitting just a point shy of the top six again.

“Honest truth I don’t go on social media at all, I really don’t,” said Parkinson. “I block everything out, you have to do that as a manager. I only know what Oscar (Chamberlain, head of media)) tells me coming into these press conferences. I need to have a clear picture in my mind so I don’t want anything to distract me from what I want to do.

“Sunderland is the same as other clubs I have been at, in terms of the social media, it’s just there is so many more supporters here, the profile in terms of the social media is larger.

“That is why I am asking the players to concentrate on what I am asking you to do, train well, play well, and things take care of themselves. The modern day, young adult is brought up with social media so it is harder to keep them off it.”

Given the uncertainty Donald’s plans have brought to Sunderland, it is credit to Parkinson and his players that they have suddenly started to find their feet in League One this season.

It has taken time after Jack Ross was sacked to find some continuity and consistency in performance, but there are signs that Parkinson is finally getting there and he is likely to name a similar team to that which beat Lincoln last week.

“They have developed a hard-shell, I detect that with them,” said Parkinson. “It has created a bit of a siege mentality within the group, every game is going to be difficult and you have to be at your best at whatever level to get results.

“Every game you play you have to be at your best, it is up to us to make those performances and get those results. We will concentrate on the game at the weekend and go from there after that.

“There is a good togetherness with the lads. Playing for Sunderland and to be part of a successful team, the lads and driving towards that. They are a great set of lads, and they have upped the ante in training and it is showing in the last few weeks.

“The first few games were decent, that period of cup games derailed is a bit, changing the team, formation, the injuries we had, it prevented cohesion we needed at any level. We have got that back now.”

Sunderland’s home victory over Lincoln last weekend was well overdue, it was the first time they had won at the Stadium of Light since November 2. Tension can soon rise, as Parkinson found out on Boxing Day when the fans turned on him, and he thinks he has a responsibility to get his players playing in a certain way for the Wearside crowd.

“When the players close down, play with an intensity at the weekend, it wasn’t a difficult place to play. The fans were out of their seats getting behind the team,” said Parkinson.

“Even if a player made a mistake, if they sprinted back quickly to win the ball back, the fans appreciate that. If you’re prepared to work hard, and show real commitment, these supporters will get right behind you.

“That’s what we’ve done recently a lot better, we’ve had more energy in the team and we’ve got to keep it there and play a way our supporters can relate to.

“I played with commitment every single week. If you do that, northern supporters appreciate honest. We need skill and creativity – we know that – but you’ve got to make sure those quality players play with honest endeavour as well.”

Sunderland will head in today’s game with Wycombe with a strong enough squad, even though Parkinson is hoping for a transfer breakthrough. Striker Kyle Lafferty has had talks and is the favourite to arrive. Defender Joel Lynch could be fit again, but Luke O’Nien has missed training through illness.