Sunderland may have secured a well-earned point at in-form Millwall on Saturday afternoon, but with the Black Cats rooted to the foot of the table and a number of their relegation rivals with a game in hand, the future looks bleak for Chris Coleman’s side.

The Welsh boss has failed to lead his side away from the bottom three having taken over from Simon Grayson earlier in the season, and could begin his return to club management following a long spell with the Welsh national side in disastrous fashion.

One positive for fans has been the emergence of youngster Josh Maja, with many heralding the teenager as a future star of the first team.

Here is what we have learned about the player so far…

Maja has made just a handful of appearances this term, but has proven that he can be an effective outlet for Coleman’s side with the ball at his feet.

The player is very quick, using his body well to shield the ball, and this element of his game has seen Sunderland be handed a number of opportunities from set pieces, with the player excellent at drawing fouls.

Give Maja a ball to run onto or play the ball into his feet and he has the capacity to make things happen, and Sunderland must begin to alter their game in the closing stages of the campaign to ensure the points begin to flow to the Stadium of Light.

Maja is held in high regard by coaching staff in the north east and his performances this term have seen the player earn rave reviews from fans, yet the forward has only scored once in eleven league appearances, a record that must improve if he is to become a star of the Football League.

The teenager is a willing runner so an effective outlet when the ball is pumped forward away from the heads of opposition defenders, but he needs to up his game if he is to become an integral member of this side in the closing weeks of the season.

Coleman has entrusted him with just five starts in the league so far, showing that his faith in the player is growing, but he retains a reluctance to place his faith in the youngster to score the goals to life the Black Cats from their dire predicament.

Perhaps I am being overly critical of Maja, but with his praises being bellowed from the heavens, the pitfalls of the player must be highlighted.

Just a single goal in eleven appearances, Maja has had opportunities to add to his tally, but has failed to take many that have come his way.

The 19-year-old has a lot to learn and will certainly develop in the coming years, and this summer could prove vital in the development of the player.

Hit the gym, and put the hours in on the training field while others sun themselves during the offseason, and Maja will return a much improved player, whether that be in the Championship, or in the third tier.

Perhaps a season of League One football would allow the player to thrive and could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Sunderland for a number of reasons, although fans will be desperate to see their side survive the drop in the coming months.

Sunderland fans, thoughts on Maja's season?