After picking up just three points in the opening eight league matches under Dick Advocaat, it was no real surprise to see Sunderland part company with the Dutchman last month. Given that new manager Sam Allardyce has never been relegated from the Premier League, the Wearsiders will be optimistic of yet another great escape, though so far, the jury is out on Big Sam’s start at the Stadium of Light.
Although the former West Ham boss registered a first win and clean sheet of the campaign – courtesy of a 3-0 victory over neighbours Newcastle – their 6-2 thumping at Goodison in the following league fixture brought them firmly back down to earth.
With three losses in his first four fixtures at the helm, then, we assess Allardyce’s impact on Sunderland as they look to build momentum and claw their way out of the bottom three.
