Sunderland fans will have entered their tie with Millwall on Saturday with an air of quiet confidence, despite their side’s abysmal start to the season.

The home game against Neil Harris’ men will have been billed as a must-win by the majority of Black Cats fans, and although not many will have openly admitted their confidence of a positive result, the burning light of hope will have glowed deep inside.

Yet, disappointment struck once more, a sinking feeling fans of the Black are becoming all too familiar with.

Two absolute howlers from Dutch goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter ensured the Lions returned to London with a well-deserved point, and Sunderland continue their search for their first maximum home points of the campaign.

The result leaves the Wearsiders firmly planted to the bottom of the table, a whole four points away from safety following Birmingham City’s priceless win over Nottingham Forest.

Chris Coleman is set to vacate the open managerial position at The Stadium of Light, and should be officially confirmed on Monday morning, if not earlier.

Where must the former Wales boss focus on if his side are to escape the drop this season, however?

The answer is very obvious.

Sunderland have been good in front of goal this season, and 22 strikes in 17 games is an extremely respectable tally, with the majority of these heading in the direction of striker Lewis Grabban.

At the back, it’s a whole different story.

33 goals conceded, goalkeeping mistakes and defensive blunders; the Blacks Cats are in disarray.

Former boss Simon Grayson was given no money to spend in the summer, and had to make do through a series of loan deals and three signings as he attempted to put together a makeshift squad capable of competing at this level.

Coleman will have to do the same in January on perhaps an even tighter budget, although the expected sale of defender Lamine Kone may bolster his transfer ‘warchest’, with piggy-bank perhaps the more suitable term for the sum.

Coleman needs to buck the trend at the back if the club are to have any hope of survival, and his first step must be to solve his goalkeeping crisis.

Grayson chopped and changed at will, and the lack of consistency perhaps halted the progress of the likes of Ruiter.

A couple of quality loan signings at the back could complete change the club’s season around, and Coleman will have his back-line well-organised when he takes the reigns as boss.

Wales sides under the former Fulham man were difficult to break down and played with heart, and this is what he must install at Sunderland in the coming weeks.

It will be a tough task, but sort the defence, and I think Sunderland could scrape survival.

Black Cats fans, can Coleman keep your side up? Have your say below...

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