'We are in a really, really, good position for promotion and based on that the decision was taken to make a change to try to ensure that we can try to populate the top two and put ourselves in the best position to go up.'
That was Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman's view just three weeks ago as he explained the rationale behind the decision to sack Lee Johnson on the eve of transfer deadline day.
Three defeats and two draws later, those words ring hollow as the Black Cats find themselves desperately scrabbling around in the hope of securing a play-off place.
