Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain has defended the decision to sell goalkeeper Vito Mannone this summer, despite the Black Cats struggles this season in that position.

Whilst not always convincing, Mannone was a steady keeper for Sunderland but was sold to Reading last summer for £2m.

However, replacing the Italian has been an extremely tough task with Robbin Ruitier, Jason Steele and Lee Camp all making major mistakes this season which has cost Sunderland points.

Yet, Bain told the Sunderland Echo that they needed to sell to buy this summer and the deal on offer from Reading made sense.

"With Vito, let’s leave aside that there was one year left on his contract, that he may have wanted to go. If I hadn’t sold him for £2million I couldn’t have brought in eight or nine players for Simon Grayson. That’s the bottom line."

He did admit that the club have made major errors with their signings though.

"Where it all starts and ends is recruitment and I get the frustration on that side. We’ve not got that right."

The Verdict

With Vito Mannone, you'd have to say the fee that got for him was probably fair given his contract status.

The issue is the players brought in to replace him. Like most of their transfers in recent windows, they weren't up to the standard required and Sunderland have paid the price.

That will have to change this summer if they are to have any chance of a successful season in League One.

Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know in the comments below.