Sunderland boss David Moyes can see why they've been long time strugglers.

For the past five seasons, five predecessors have spent more time battling mini-crises and fighting against relegation than laying down long-term plans.

"I came back for a bit of excitement. That was my thing," he said.

“I am excited by this job but I'm looking at it and can understand totally why things have not gone right here.

“I am trying to put bits of that right. I'm never going to get it right in the short-term but we're trying to build foundations.

“Can we get those foundations in? It never looks like it until it grows but I'm hoping in six months or a year, you might say , 'I can see it. There may have been tears along the journey but I can see why that started'."