The Sunderland board finally had enough and decided enough was enough from Steve Bruce. After 13 games and just two wins have are they the first to panic or have they timed this decision just right.
That depends of course on who they have planned to come in and whether or not they are prepared to back him in January. There is no denying the squad needs one or two additions. They have not replaced Bent or Gyan and have missed Onuoha and Welbeck since their respective loan spells finished.
The signing of Larsson was a good piece of business and Wes Brown has enjoyed a resurgence in form but the rest of the summer signings have not impressed on a regular enough basis. OK injuries and suspensions take there tole but Bendtner has repeated his inconsistent Arsenal days.
Another factor in the decline of Sunderland surrounds the captaincy issue. When Bruce signed O'Shea he gave him the armband, taking it away from Cattermole and O'Shea hasn't quite been at his best.
Obviously the way in which they lost Gyan is a huge setback. That is the area they need most additions. They need a forward and if Robbie Keane is available for a loan spell that may be a move that could please all concerned.
The other debate is who have the board got in mind to replace Steve Bruce. The obvious choices seem to be Martin O'Neill and Mark Hughes. Both are good organisers, can motivate players and attract one or two new faces to play and fight for the cause. A gamble would be Huddersfield manager Lee Clark. He is an ex player and has done a job at Huddersfield I just don't think that would please the fans. Maybe Roberto Martinez can be persuaded to leave Wigan now that Dave Whelan is handing the club over.
Whoever is chosen to change the fortunes of Sunderland has to be given one important thing. Time. They may not save Sunderland but like the Wigan owner Dave Whelan, the manager needs the faith is with him should that happen.
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