Sunderland have been one of the Premier League’s biggest strugglers all season and after their humbling at home to Stoke City on Saturday, things are looking extremely dark at the Stadium of Light indeed.

Black Cats here in the Tavern are beginning to lose hope and it’s becoming more and more clear that the two biggest North East clubs could be swapping divisions when May rolls around in a couple of months.

But whilst there are still games to play, there’s always hope for David Moyes and his men and if they start picking up points, they could still claw their way out of the mess they’re currently in. Perhaps the only plus point of this campaign thus far is the fact the Wearside outfit know to how scrap when goings get tough.

It’s not going to be easy, but Sunderland have some good players on their books these days and it’s important they start coming together and working for each other to get results.

So with that in mind, here’s the Sunderland XI that we think could shock West Brom on Saturday…

GK: Vito Mannone

Sunderland haven’t got the biggest pool of options between the sticks and with rising star Jordan Pickford sidelined by injury, the responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of Vito Mannone, at least for the next couple of months.

He’s a decent option but if Sunderland had a little money, they might want to invest in a new shot-stopper in January…

RB: Donald Love

Former Manchester United man Donald Love has come into the side in recent weeks and he’s doing as good a job as he can at right-back.

He’s got plenty of responsibility on his shoulders as a youngster but he’s showing some good spells of form and development in a Sunderland side that are struggling.

CB: John O’Shea

You’ve got to give John O’Shea plenty of credit. He’s not in the prime of his career in the slightest but he continues to slog away at the heart of the Sunderland defence.

He shows heart, passion and fight week-after-week and despite questions hanging over his quality, he’s the sort of leader the Black Cats need in the side right now.

CB: Papy Djilobodji

One-time Chelsea defender Papy Djilobodji still has lots of convincing to do down at the Stadium of Light after a slightly shaky start to his career in the North East.

When he’s on his game, the Senegalese international is certainly solid enough, but he’s prone to big mistakes.

If he can cut out the defensive lapses, he could become a big player for David Moyes.

LB: Patrick van Aanholt

In-demand left-back Patrick van Aanholt has been the subject of interest from Crystal Palace but as of yet, he remains a Sunderland player and a big one at that.

Questions have been asked as to his quality as a defender but going forward he’s as good as they can hope for and he’s been a good outlet for the Black Cats this season.

CM: Seb Larsson

Former Birmingham City man Seb Larsson has stepped into the Sunderland first-team following a flurry of injuries and he’ll have a big point to prove to manager David Moyes.

He’s found it tough to get first-team minutes at times this season following a big injury himself and he’ll want to take his chance at the Stadium of Light.

CM: Jack Rodwell

The pressure is on former Manchester City man Jack Rodwell to pick up his performances because if there’s any player that can dig them out of this rut, it’s him at his best.

His talent was obviously recognised at the highest level and he does have the quality to pull the strings in that Black Cats midfield.

CM: Jason Denayer

On-loan Manchester City man Jason Denayer is playing in the middle-of-the-park for Sunderland at the moment and at times, it’s clear that it’s not his preferred position.

He’s a centre-half by trade but due to injuries to Kirchoff and Cattermole, he’s filling in for Moyes in midfield. He needs to pick his game up at the Stadium of Light if possible.

RW: Fabio Borini

Former Liverpool man Fabio Borini is currently the man of choice in the Sunderland front line and whilst his work-rate is always there, a few more goals would be nice from the Italian.

He’s another player who has got a big point to prove going forward and Sunderland could do with some big performances from him in the coming weeks.

ST: Jermain Defoe

He’s been Sunderland’s player of the season and the former Tottenham man must not be sold under any circumstance, even if the offer is good.

His ability to get goals is massive in this Sunderland side and Moyes massively relies on him for the majority of his team’s goals.

LW: Adnan Januzaj

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj hasn’t quite lived up to expectation since his early days playing under David Moyes at United but there’s still some hope he can discover some of that form of old.

He’s a tricky little player but at times, just needs to get more involved on the ball. Do that, and he might be the key to Sunderland’s survival.