Eye On EPL

Moyes not the man to pull off Sunderland rescue act

Dark clouds are looming over the Stadium of Light, as Sunderland appear on course to break Derby County's dubious English Premier League record.

Derby finished their 2008 campaign with one victory and a record low of 11 points.

With just two points from 10 matches, David Moyes' Black Cats have equalled the worst start in the EPL, sharing that unwanted mark with the 1995 Manchester City side.

It is hard to see any solution to the club's bleak situation right now.

They cannot expect Jermain Defoe, whom the club could thank for helping them narrowly avoid relegation last season when the striker scored 15 goals, to single-handedly save them every year.

For a club seeking stability after changing managers three times (Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Sam Allardyce) in less than two years, they have chosen the least stable tactician to lead the team.

Moyes arrived in Sunderland after being sacked from his previous two jobs, at Spanish club Real Sociedad last November and Manchester United in 2014.

How can you expect a person with such a record to turn their fortunes around?

Looking at Sunderland's previous seasons, it was not too presumptuous to expect, even before the first game of the season, another relegation battle for them.

They have finished 17th, a spot above the drop zone, twice in the past four seasons.

Moyes was parachuted in a day after Allardyce was taken out to lead England on July 22.

It was probably a hasty decision by the owners to find a replacement who was available then, given that the new season was about to begin in three weeks.

They must be looking enviously at neighbours Newcastle United, who are flying high. How they wish now that they have a manager like Rafael Benitez on their side.

Despite being relegated last season, the Magpies are leading the Championship with some style, winning 14 of their past 16 matches in all competitions.

Sunderland need someone like Benitez to turn things around at a club who are struggling to stay afloat in the league, their players are not motivated and lack belief and confidence.

Moyes has come in , tried for 10 matches, and results have shown that he is unable to inspire.

Allardyce, who is ironically now out of a job after about two months in charge of England, should probably return to the club whom he saved from being demoted last year.

After all, when he joined them in October last year, they had just three points.

At least he is someone who has been successful in pulling off an escape act before.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 01, 2016, with the headline Moyes not the man to pull off Sunderland rescue act. Subscribe