Repair Job Needed, Blu-Tack Supplied

CATS HAVE REALLY HIT BAD TIMES

SUNDERLAND’S fortunes have often turned on unexpected derby day results. Paolo Di Canio memorably sealed his first win against Newcas tle. So, too, did Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Sam Allardyce. All used the fixture as a springboard to survival.

Today, the foes are from Teesside, not Tyneside, the new manager on a shortlist rather than in the dugout. Nevertheless, the Black Cats desperately need another of those red-andwhite letter days.

Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with basement boys Bolton extended their winless run at the Stadium of Light to 19 games. In the league, their solitary three-point haul came way back on August 13.

It proved too much for CEO Martin Bain, who ended the 18game tenure of Simon Grayson minutes after the final whistle.

“Results have not been good enough for a club of this stature,” said Bain. “We believe a fundamental change is necessary.”

Most Mackems would argue change is required in the boardroom, where a decade of managerial upheaval and profligate spending under Ellis Short left the club £110m in debt.