Sunderland are a club in limbo right now and Phil Parkinson is facing an uphill task if he’s going to win everyone over and get the Black Cats challenging where they want to be in the table.
Since replacing Jack Ross at the Stadium of Light, Parkinson has recorded only two wins, with defeats coming in League One and various cup competitions in recent weeks.
Despite that further drop off in results since Parkinson arrived in the North East, promotion is still very much on the agenda for a Sunderland side sitting just outside the play-off places after a third of the season.
However, Parkinson might need that little bit of help with January comes around, just to kick-start things and make sure Sunderland can finish strongly.
With that in mind we look at FIVE players the Black Cats should consider looking at…
Sunderland’s attack is a problem, with Will Grigg bang out of form for the Black Cats.
That leads us straight to the man that every fan in League One would want: Ivan Toney.
Toney has struck 12 goals this season for Peterborough and would be a great addition at Sunderland.
However, after the expensive mistake of Grigg, Sunderland might not want to throw massive money at another striker.
Another Peterborough player, which is little surprise considering how well Posh have been doing this season.
Maddison is the assist king in League One and has been for some time.
Whilst Luke O’Nien is a good little operator in the No.10 role, Maddison offers some real class in the position and would be an upgrade.
Grigg – or whoever is leading the line – would get so many chances with Maddison joining Aiden McGeady and Chris Maguire in the attacking midfield positions.
Chapman could well be on his way out of Blackburn Rovers in the January transfer window, with Tony Mowbray weighing up how much football he would play if he sticks around at Ewood Park.
He’s scored three goals and registered two assists in five appearances for Blackburn’s youngsters, with the 22-year-old needing senior football.
Sunderland could offer him a good platform.
The 29-year-old bagged himself 15 goals last season and looks like bettering that tally this season for Fleetwood, with 10 goals in 15 appearances.
Like Toney, he’s doing it for a League One rival, but if Sunderland came knocking, Madden would surely consider it.
He’s in-form and could do what Grigg is failing to do.
Finally, moving to the other end of the field, a move to Sunderland could be perfect for Lewie Coyle.
He’s a teammate of Madden at Fleetwood, but he is set to go back to Leeds United in the January transfer window, but unlikely to make the step into the fold at Elland Road.
A permanent move is what he needs now, with Sunderland the perfect destination; they’re a big club, he’s a better right-back than what they’ve got and he’s capable of stepping back into the Championship.