Whilst they may have got used to it in recent seasons, the Sunderland fans in the Football Transfer Tavern won’t be enjoying life in the Premier League under David Moyes at the current time, with the Mackems once again in the midst of a relegation battle.

Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat by Stoke City means that the Black Cats have taken just four points from their last seven top flight matches, and they are now only off of the bottom of the table from Swansea City because of their slightly superior goal difference.

With Jermain Defoe scoring 60% of their 20 league goals this season, and with the joint-third worst defensive record, it is easy to see for the punters at the bar to see that the Wearside outfit’s main problems are at either end of the pitch.

Moyes’ men are far too reliant on Defoe putting the ball in the back of the net and our landlord knows that the Scot must take some of the pressure off of the 33-year-old this month.

Meanwhile, he will also be looking for some experience in his backline to help cover a struggling defence that was further decimated by the departure of Lamine Kone to the African Cup of Nations to represent the Ivory Coast earlier this month.

Here are THREE realistic January signings that would sort out a struggling Sunderland…

Saido Berahino

We can’t remember the last transfer window when Berahino wasn’t linked with a move away from West Brom, but the striker could finally leave the Hawthorns this month which would certainly save us some time at the Football Transfer Tavern!

The 23-year-old is out of contract in the summer and with no signs of him signing a new deal with the Midlands outfit, he could leave for a reduced fee during the current transfer window – something that could appeal to Sunderland and manager David Moyes.

The Mackems are calling out for a striker to take some of the pressure off Jermain Defoe, and in Berahino they would be getting someone that has proved he can score goals at this level, when given the right support and service – however the landlord might not think that this deal will be good because of the player’s questionable attitude!

The Burundi-born attacker scored 14 goals in the Baggies in the 2014/15 campaign, and Moyes will know that if he can help reproduce that sort of form, it could be enough to lift the club away from danger.

Peter Crouch

Until recently, Crouch had found first team minutes hard to come by at the Britannia Stadium this term, which would have been disappointing for the neutral supporters sat at the bar up and down the country for the popular player.

However, with Wilfried Bony lacking any sort of form before he departed for the African Cup of Nations to represent the Ivory Coast, and fellow attacker Bojan unsettled, the former England international has been given an opportunity up top – and he has certainly taken it.

The 6’7″ striker has scored three goals in his last three Premier League matches – including the third goal at the Stadium of Light on Saturday – and having played with Jermain Defoe for Tottenham, Portsmouth and the Three Lions and been prolific at this level during his career, David Moyes could see the opportunity to partner the two again – for a reasonable fee that will please the landlord – as one that can’t be missed.

Phil Jagielka

While Lamine Kone produced some standout performances for Sunderland in 2016, the Mackems have still struggled to keep the ball out of their net, and the need for a new centre-back has surely been intensified by the defender’s departure to the African Cup of Nations earlier this month.

John O’Shea and Papy Djilobodji struggled at the heart of the Wearside outfit’s back four in the defeat to Stoke City at the weekend, and manager David Moyes could be taking a look at one of his players from former side Everton.

Phil Jagielka – who would be a first choice defensive target for the Mackems fans standing at the bar – has found himself out of favour under Ronald Koeman in recent weeks and with his Toffees career seemingly coming towards an end, he could provide the defensive stability and experience the side needs in order to avoid being relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.

Sunderland fans – what do you think? Let us know below.