Sunderland legend Gary Bennett has warned his former team that 'no club is too big to go down' with the Wearside outfit bottom of the Championship ahead of another relegation battle.

Their dismal start to the season saw Simon Grayson sacked and Paul Heckingbottom is the new favourite to replace the former Preston boss. And, according to Bennett, the club needs someone to inject new life into it as soon as possible. “The club is so flat. They need a spark from somewhere,” he told the Sunderland Echo.

“It has got to the point where it is embarrassing talking about where Sunderland football club is, it has become a laughing stock.”

Bennett, who made over 350 appearances for the club is also worried about the losing culture that has gripped the place over recent years. “No club is too big to go down, it is all about results and we are stuck in a bad habit of losing games. When you are losing games confidence is very low and you are looking around for that experience and responsibility.”

Sunderland are back in action at the Stadium of Light this weekend where they face Millwall and will be looking for their first home win of this calendar year.

The Verdict

Unfortunately, you can't disagree with anything that Bennett says and you have to feel sorry for the Sunderland fans.

Relegation to the Championship should've been the catalyst for change, but it hasn't happened with the current regime and things look bleak this season.

The new managerial appointment needs to happen very quickly and whoever it is will realise immediately that this club is once again in a relegation battle.

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