Here in the Transfer Tavern, our resident Sunderland fans are looking pretty glum.

The Black Cats supporters were cautiously optimistic about this season despite Sam Allardyce leaving for the England job as the well-travelled David Moyes took over but so far, it’s been business as usual at the bottom of the league.

Many would be happy with the club just finding mid-table mediocrity for a season and then being able to build, but the start to this campaign suggests another long hard slog is on the horizon in the battle against relegation.

They’re anchored to the bottom of the table with just one draw to their name alongside five defeats, many are starting to think that maybe it’s best if David Moyes was to leave.

Our landlord is of this opinion too and here are the THREE reasons why…

Players clearly lacking confidence

Sunderland were 2-0 up against Crystal Palace at the weekend which is scarcely believable when you look at the final result.

That, if it wasn’t already, will have shot the Black Cats confidence to bits and it’s up for debate whether David Moyes can pick them up off of the floor.

He came out and questioned his players application after the defeat so it remains to be seen if that generates more problems.

It begins the cycle

Sunderland have started slowly many times over the last few seasons, leading them to change manager.

That change has invariably kept them in the division though so it could prove that David Moyes is to be the fall-guy for another manager to sweep in and save the day.

Who it could be is yet to become clear but it must be something they’re considering in the north east.

Lack of relegation battle experience

David Moyes is a very experienced Premier League manager but he hasn’t actually been involved in that many relegation scraps over the years.

He was brought in to make sure Sunderland get away from the trap door but first and foremost they actually need to stop getting relegated this season, and it’s up for debate whether Moyes actually has the expertise to do so.