Tony Mowbray does not want it to become the 'easy narrative'. Kristjaan Speakman insists Sunderland have two players for every position, and is therefore happy with the squad he assembled during the summer transfer window.
But the fact is that while Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms remain out of action and the team continues to struggle in front of goal, the Black Cats' lack of firepower will be the major talking point. How could it be otherwise?
To ruminate on back-to-back goalless draws against Preston at the weekend and on Tuesday night against Blackpool, both on home soil, without mentioning the obvious would be perverse. Particularly when, throughout the transfer window, it was pointed out time and again that two out-and-out centre-forwards was just not enough to deal with the demands of a 46-game Championship season.
