Once again, all is not well for the Sunderland supporters in the Football Transfer Tavern as they look set for a fifth consecutive season of trying to escape relegation from the Premier League.

The Mackems are currently bottom of the top flight standings and three points from safety after suffering three straight league defeats, and while the problems may well run deeper than on the shoulders of the manager, some fans standing at the bar will believe that it is time that David Moyes was sacked.

The Scot has struggled to turn around the fortunes of the Black Cats this term and while the Wearside outfit continue to let in soft goals, they are also far too overreliant on Jermain Defoe at the other end – the 33-year-old has scored 60% of his side’s Premier League goals so far this campaign.

As the landlord of the tavern knows, bringing in a new boss can reignite that feel-good factor around a club, and it could be the best thing for Sunderland to do in their current predicament.

Here are THREE perfect managers to stop the rot at the Stadium of Light…

Roy Hodgson

Although he wouldn’t be a popular choice for many of the Sunderland fans in the tavern because of his record at major tournaments with England, it is easy to forget just how well Hodgson did in the Premier League with clubs that ultimately have similar aims to the Mackems.

The 69-year-old led Fulham to a seventh-placed finish in the 2008/09 season – which was followed by a Europa League final appearance the following year – as well as helping West Bromwich Albion to 11th and 10th-placed finishes respectively during an 18-month spell in charge of the Baggies – even the landlord is impressed with those achievements!

While he may be a safe option rather than an exciting one, Hodgson could be the man to save the Wearside outfit from the drop.

Sean Dyche

With Burnley currently in 13th position and 10 points above the Premier League relegation zone, Dyche has already been mentioned as a candidate for manager of the season – few Mackems fans standing at the bar would disagree.

The 45-year-old has done an outstanding job for the Clarets this term, and while their away form might not be the best – they have taken just one point on the road in the top flight this season – they have made Turf Moor a fortress and have the fourth-best home record in the league.

Only Swansea and Crystal Palace have picked up less points on their own turf than Sunderland, and it is a record that needs to change if they are to once again avoid relegation to the Championship – the landlord knows that it must be improved, and quickly.

Dyche certainly looks to be a good fit for the job at the Stadium of Light as he gets the best out of his players, while he would be tempted by the fact that he would probably be working with a better budget on Wearside too.

Patrick Vieira

Earlier this month, Sunderland were linked with a move that would see them make Patrick Vieira their new manager should David Moyes get the sack – or walk – and it is an appointment that would make sense in a lot of ways.

The former Arsenal midfielder is looking for his first step on the managerial ladder (in this country) and the Black Cats would seem to be a good starting point for the Frenchman – however, some of the Mackems fans that frequent the tavern would prefer a manager who has at least some Premier League experience.

That said, the Black Cats supporters standing at the bar will remember the impact that another former Premier League enforcer – Roy Keane – made when he took over as the club’s new boss in 2006, and they would hope that Vieira would have a similar influence to one of his great rivals.

Do you agree, Sunderland fans? Let us know below.