Sunderland, unfortunately for them, yet again are in the midst of a relegation battle. While the instillation of Sam Allardyce as manager is usually a move that all but guarantees survival, the Black Cats appear to bucking that trend somewhat.
By no means are the North East side completely written off, but their position is looking increasingly perilous. Four points off fierce rivals Newcastle, who themselves are entrenched in the scrap, games are running out on Wearside.
Their activity in the transfer market was encouraging, however. Allardyce managed finally land Lorient defender Lamine Kone after a mini-saga, with the Ivorian international looking a good at the heart of defence thus far.
Wahbi Khazri has looked a live wire since arriving from Bordaeux, while former Hull City forward Dame N’Doye has bolstered the attack.
Still, it’s not clear whether that will be enough. Their fightback to rescue a point against Liverpool would have offered some encouragement, though did little to improve their standing right now.
Plenty of names were linked with making a move to the Stadium of Light over the course of the window, some of which could have really provided the quality required to keep them in the league.
With that in mind, and not to rub it in too much, here’s the dream end of January XI you Black Cats fans COULD have had…
JORDAN PICKFORD
Yes, Allardyce has stressed the Jordan Pickford is not yet the undisputed Number 1 at the club, but the England under-21 custodian clearly has a bright future.
So much so that Costel Pantillimon was shipped out of the club, with only former Newcastle stalwart Steve Harper drafted in.
Pickford has been linked with Manchester City and is emerging as one of the brightest stoppers in the country. While blooding him in at the deep end may be somewhat of a gamble, the 21-year old is hugely talented.
He’s played in all five of the top divisions in English football already in his career.
MATHIEU DEBUCHY
Mathieu Debuchy appears relatively often in these lists, simply because the Frenchman was linked with so many different clubs over the course of last month.
Though he ultimately made a return to Ligue 1, the 30-year old was rumoured to be on Allardyce’s wish list.
Despite his past with Newcastle United, the quality he could have provided in the right-back berth would have been undeniable. Billy Jones is the current incumbent, though doubts remain over his genuine ability to perform at the highest level.
On loan Spurs star DeAndre Yedlin has never been fully entrusted since his move in the summer, making it a relatively problematic position.
Debuchy is a quality defender, comfortable in possession and solid enough going forward. Could have provided real quality.
YOUNES KABOUL
Younes Kaboul looked quite frankly woeful when paired up with either Sebastian Coates or John O’Shea, though the vastly experienced Frenchman has improved somewhat.
Now he has returned from injury, the former Spurs and Portsmouth defender will be crucial in his side’s fight against the drop.
Pairing him next to the more athletic man we are about to mention could provide a solid partnership, now he has some pace to rely on in his partner.
LAMINE KONE
The £5m deal bringing Lamine Kone to the Stadium of Light appeared to have been off at one point, though everyone at the club will surely be delighted they finally landed their man late in the window.
The 26-year old turned in an emphatic performance against Manchester City on his debut, aside from missing a golden opportunity to level the scores. Still, the Ivorian is a defender in the truest sense, putting his foot in and remaining hard to beat.
Appears to already be somewhat of a cult hero with the club and his solidity will be crucial to keeping them in the league.
PATRICK VAN AANHOLT
Patrick van Aanholt has a lot to work in the defensive aspects of his game, though the Dutchman is worth his salt going forward.
His gallivanting runs up and down the left flank have yielded three goals and two assists, meaning the 25-year old Dutchman has been involved in more goals this term than any other defender.
Goals keep you in the Premier League, it’s as simple as that. While more solidity is no doubt required from him, he can pose a real threat going forward.
Now Steven Fletcher has departed, the former Chelsea youngster is joint second top scorer for the Black Cats. A damning assessment on their attacking stars of course, but not something to be overlooked.
YANN M’VILLA
Having slipped under the radar due to a dip in form over recent years, it’s easy to forget that Yann M’Villa is a solid holding midfielder. In fact, he’s been one of the Black Cats’ best performers amid this miserable campaign since his loan move from Rubin Kazan in the summer.
At times, the Frenchman is a bit rash, but his ability to hold on the ball and keep things ticking over in the middle of the park is without question.
Sunderland fans have taken to him well, it seems.
JAN KIRCHHOFF
Hard to imagine really that Jan Kirchhoff would prove to be anything other utterly dreadful after his nightmare debut against Tottenham Hotspur.
The former Bayern Munich ace conceded a penalty and his lazy attempt at blocking a shot led to the ball being deflected into his own net. Comparisons to Jonathan Woodgate were made, it was that bad.
However, the 25-year old has moved on and impressed, moving up into midfield against Manchester City, turning in a Man of the Match performance.
His performance against Liverpool looked tiresome toward the end, but he again impressed. Perhaps he will even keep Lee Cattermole out of the side, with the Black Cats stalwart attracting criticism for his lacklustre display.
Comfortable on the ball, the German could be the perfect foil to the more imposing M’Villa in the middle of the park.
WAHBI KHAZRI
In the early days of his career on Wearside, Wahbi Khazri has excited fans. The Tunisian international sealed a £9m switch from Bordeaux late on in the transfer window and has so far looked to be a good buy.
His willingness to run forward in support of Jermaine Defoe was obvious against Liverpool and the 25-year old provided the assist for the dramatic late equaliser at Anfield.
Though often used as a centre-forward, and able to perform in the Number 10 role, deploying Khazri on the right may be a good option. That way, he can cut inside and wreak havoc from more central options, as well as provide more traditional wing play.
Jermain Lens is another option, though the Dutch international does not graft as much as the new arrival in terms of defensive duties.
ADAM JOHNSON
Adam Johnson at Number 10 can provide some real quality in the final third. The former England international may have tailed off since some promising early days at Manchester City, but remains a gifted playmaker.
Though he’s often deployed out wide, flanking him with two wingers with exceptional workload could help bring the best out of the 28-year old. Having chipped in with five assists this season, perhaps moving him centrally is a wise idea.
He can be the creative hub of this side if he is afforded a freer role.
ANDRE AYEW
After selling Jonjo Shelvey to Newcastle, Swansea weren’t so keen to see Andre Ayew leave the club, amid reported interest from Allardyce.
It’s easy to see why, though the Ghanian would have been a wonderful arrival at the Stadium of Light.
Despite the struggles in South Wales, the fact he arrived on a free transfer over the summer surely make him a contender for signing of the season. He’s scored eight goals without every truly playing as a centre-forward and provides real quality in support of strikers.
The former Marseille man would have excelled next to Johnson, breaking behind enemy lines in support of Defoe. With Khazri on the other side, the Black Cats would suddenly have boasted a frontline to be reckoned with.
JERMAIN DEFOE
It took a while for Jermain Defoe to get settled in at the Stadium of Light, with suggestions he could have left and returned to former club Bournemouth.
However, even at 33 years of age, the former England international remains a lethal marksman. Few would bet against him scoring the goals to keep Sunderland in the league, if he is given the right service.
The notion of both Khazri and Ayew running ahead of him to create space, and Johnson pulling the strings behind, is surely mouth-watering for Black Cats fans.
Oh, what could have been.