Sunderland boss Gus Poyet admits their long-term transfer plans have suffered from managerial instability.
Poyet arrived on Wearside as the club's fourth permanent manager in the space of two years.
"Yes, that forward planning wasn't here," he admitted to the Sunderland Echo.
"It's not about blaming anyone, it just wasn't. It wasn't possible.
"I'm not coming here and saying we've got a plan for the next five to 10 years if we don't.
"But do we need to look ahead? Yes."