It's safe to say that Phil Parkinson hasn't had the start he would have originally hoped for with Sunderland, with the Black Cats currently sat 11th in the League One table. 

Parkinson took charge at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, but has been unable to turn their poor start to this year's campaign around.

This has led to calls for the 51-year-old to be sacked before any more damage can be done to this 'sleeping giant' in the third tier of English football.

In our latest FLW Six Pointer, we look into Sunderland's position in more detail.

How poor have Sunderland been this season? 

"They've been absolutely awful.

"The expectation would have been for Sunderland to bounce back from their play-off final heartbreak last season, but they've struggled to put a run of positive results together this term.

"They're currently sat 11th in the League One table, and are already 14 points adrift of league leaders Wycombe Wanderers which will make for concerning reading heading towards the festive period."

Was Phil Parkinson the right man for the job at the time? 

"At the time, I thought this was a smart appointment by the promotion hopefuls.

"Parkinson had previously been with Bolton Wanderers, where he coped well given that they had a number of off-the-field problems to deal with financially.

"He deserved a shot at a bigger club, and Sunderland are certainly that, even though they're playing their football in the third tier at this moment in time."

Have they improved since he took charge? 

"Absolutely not. If anything, Sunderland have actually managed to get worse.

"They've won just two games since Parkinson took charge and have also been knocked out of the EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and the FA Cup, as well as struggling for any sort of consistency in the league.

"It's an alarming slump in form that couldn't have come at a worse time, as we head into the festive period which could make or break Sunderland's season."

Where is it going wrong for Parkinson? 

"It seems to be a case that he simply isn't firing up the players at the moment, which will be a real concern.

"Jack Ross wasn't getting results previously, but a number of the first team players that he has available have shown any sort of effort or desire to turn their poor run of form around as soon as possible.

"Sunderland need a manager that can get the best out of these players and fire them up, something which Parkinson is clearly struggling to do."

Can you see him lasting till the New Year? 

"I'd be surprised if he made it to Christmas to be honest.

"Sunderland can't afford to waste time in delaying his potential sacking, as they'll know that the minimum expectation this season will be to win promotion back into the Championship.

"The confidence is through the floor in the squad at the moment, and you have to question whether Parkinson is the right man to take the club forward in the second-half of the season."

Test your Sunderland knowledge in our quiz! 

Who could potentially replace him as manager for Sunderland this season? 

"Former Sunderland man Michael Gray has recently stated that he sees Kevin Phillips as the ideal manager to take charge of the Black Cats.

"I think he's right as well, as Sunderland need a manager that knows the club inside and out, and can fire up a group of players that are performing well below their potential this season.

"Phillips would be top of my list, and I think they need a change in the managerial hot seat at the earliest of opportunities, otherwise they can forget about even challenging for promotion this term."