There hasn’t been a lot to shout about at Sunderland over the last few years.

Black Cats fans at the Tavern have almost gotten used to relegation drama, with the cycle of a poor start to the season before a new manager (usually installed before the Tyne-Wear derby) rallies the troops, sorts out the defence and steers them to safety.

The process has become almost commonplace at the Stadium of Light, with Martin O’Neill, Paulo Di Canio and Dick Advocaat some of those managers that have become heroes only to be show the door months later.

This season the cycle was broken early when Sam Allardyce took the England job and David Moyes was installed on Wearside.

While things didn’t go to plan for Sam Allardyce, they haven’t gone much better for Moyes as Sunderland sit bottom of the league with only two points and no wins.

It’s not all doom and gloom though as Sunderland can point to a promising batch on young players who can potentially save their season.

Here are THREE players we expect to make the first team and be worth big money in a few seasons….

DUNCAN WATMORE

Duncan Watmore’s name should be familiar to Sunderland and Premier League players alike.

The 22-year-old broke into the first team last season and impressed, managing three goals and an assist in just seven starts.

Watmore is finding his feet this year but has started four games already and will expect to become a key part of the first team after being named player of the year at Under-21 level.

As well as Sunderland, Watmore has impressed at youth level where he scored with the Under-20s in last year’s Toulon Tournament.

LYNDEN GOOCH

Like Watmore, Gooch made his debut last season but looks set to feature a lot more under Moyes.

The 20-year-old American has also started four games under the Scot, and has looked promising in spurts as someone happy to take on his man and make things happen.

The one thing the midfielder needs to improve on is his end product.

Gooch is already well-known for managing that at youth level however, and won a Player of the Month award for Sunderland’s development squad at the beginning of last season.

ETHAN ROBSON

The final man on our list is arguably the one who could drag Sunderland out of the current mire – if he is given the chance.

Ethan Robson has been training with the first-team after impressing at Under-18 and Under-21 level before now and with a number of injuries to first-team players, he may well get his chance after the international break.

Robson has continued the Sunderland tradition of standing out at youth level and won the first ever Premier League 2 Player of the Month in August. The tall midfielder will be hoping he can step up his game at the top level given the chance.