Sunderland missing out on Mohamed Eisa is a sign of the times.

In years previous, the north-east giants would have been snapping up any player the wanted, such the clout their name possesses.

Having been relegated to League One last season, however, the club finds itself down the transfer pecking order.

Sunderland would have been a much bigger proposition than Bristol City four years ago, even at the start of last season, for that matter.

Missing out on Eisa is undoubtedly a blow for Jack Ross and his preparations for the new season. 

Another transfer target Charlie Wyke is reported to have interest from Championship side Bolton, who are managed by the striker’s former Bradford boss, Phil Parkinson.

So there could yet be more bad news for Sunderland fans heading into the new season.

In some instances, a player will chose the size and circumstance of a club over the division they play in. Leeds were able to sign decent players when in League One.

More recently, Blackburn were able to keep hold of the majority of their Championship quality players down in the third division.

So for Sunderland to miss out on Eisa and a potential knock-back on Wyke, Sunderland fans will have to get used to their new position within the football pyramid.

League One is a slog; it is a hard league from which to escape.

The gap between League One and the Championship is arguably getting wider, and becoming a bigger gap between the Premier League and the second tier.

If Sunderland continue to miss out on their top transfer targets by being gazumped by a side in the tier above, they will need to be resourceful and look for players under the radar to improve their side.

It’s going to be a tough season for Sunderland but what they have done so far this summer should be applauded.

They have a real chance of stabilising and pushing on in the latter stages of the season, or even next year.

It is a sign of the times, but Sunderland fans need to remain patient during the remainder of this transfer window.