Consistently inconsistent

If you look at Sunderland's start to the season - WLWLWLWDWL - it looks vaguely impressive. An away win at Bolton on the opening day of the season looked to be a sign of things to come.

Sunderland normally find it difficult to win those so-called easier games, so get three points from the first of many was seen to be great progress. However, subseqent defeats at the hands of Stoke, Burnley and Birmingham have dampened expectations and proved Steve Bruce right when he claimed that his side lack the 'big club' mentality.

The fighting spirit and the urge to cause an upset is as rife as ever, as shown with a draw at Old Trafford and a win against Liverpool, but, as always, no matter what players are on the pitch or who is sitting in the dug-out, we struggle to beat the smaller sides.

Personally, I'm a big fan of what Alan Irvine is doing at Preston in the Championship. Since his arrival at Deepdale, he has operated a 'win at home, don't lose away' modus operandi that has seen, firstly, survival ensured and latterly play-off football.

Now I know that is not the key to taking the club forward, but in this, what is surely a season of mid-table mediocrity that all fans are crying out for, a point at Turf Moor, The Britannia or St Andrews would have been welcomed.

With Aston Villa and West Ham visiting the Stadium of Light this week, it will be interesting to see how the players do after a humbling defeat in the Midlands.