David Moyes has declared "bare bones" Sunderland are in need of reinforcements as they attempt to recover from a difficult start to the young season.
Two games and two defeats into the campaign, the Black Cats are pointless after Sunday's 2-1 home defeat by derby rivals Middlesbrough, and the Scot was pulling no punches as he assessed his injury-hit squad's prospects.
Moyes went into the game having already lost central defender Younes Kaboul to Watford and facing a battle to hang on to Everton target Lamine Kone, who was missing with a back injury.
To make matters worse, skipper John O'Shea succumbed to a groin problem, which could yet have repercussions for the Republic of Ireland as they prepare to launch their World Cup qualifying campaign, in between the two first-half Cristhian Stuani goals which ultimately handed Boro the points.