Former Sunderland winger Matt Piper says relegation could be the best thing for the club.

The 35-year-old also believes that it is time for Sunderland to stick with manager David Moyes for a period of time, having dispensed with their boss in each of the last five seasons.

He told the Sunderland Echo: “Yes, definitely – especially in a case like Sunderland's – it's the same story every year.

“They get to this time of year, the results aren't going well and the board decide they need a change.

“Someone else comes in and they go into that cycle and the new manager doesn't get the time to build."