Sunderland fans here at the Transfer Tavern haven’t had the best of times this season, but it’s been great for the landlord as they drink their sorrows away. The Black Cats need a miracle to try and turn their season around and avoid relegation to the Championship…

David Moyes’ side needs some heavy investment in the final stages of the transfer window because, simply put, they have not brought in enough quality over the last few weeks.

This time last year Sunderland were one of the busiest sides under former gaffer Sam Allardyce, and it was this window last year that helped them to claw their way out of the relegation zone and ensure safety.

If they don’t do the same this year, they might not be so lucky.

It’s given fans something to think about and that’s what we are looking at and TWO thoughts in particular that the Sunderland fans will be thinking about come Tuesday and deadline day!

WHERE ARE THE SIGNINGS?

We here at the Tavern witnessed Big Sam invest so well last January and keep the Black Cats in the Premier League…but this January it would appear that Moyes is reluctant to invest!

With sides like Palace, Swansea and Hull all improving around them it’s making even more of a mammoth task for them.

For the Sunderland fans in the Transfer Tavern, the main thought is very simple: where are the players?

A few of the Black Cats in the pub are beginning to give up hope.

Jermain Defoe

If the Black Cats are to have any chance of survival, it is essential that Jermain Defoe stays with the club beyond this month.

Even in the state the club are in, he always seems to come good and cannot stop scoring. The thought of every Sunderland fan heading into the final day of the window will be the thought that he could leave!

Come Wednesday, if he’s still at the club, we are sure many of them will be relieved and still have some optimism of survival.