When David Moyes took charge of Sunderland this summer he gave an in-house interview in which, at least three times, he spoke of the ‘guarantees’ made to him by owner Ellis Short.
The Scot, it appeared, had laid down the terms of his appointment, especially when it came to investment in a playing squad lacking in four key areas; goalkeeper, defence, midfield and attack.
Yet here we are, less than two months on, and Moyes is talking of things being ‘not what he expected’.
Sunderland are winless and second from bottom - they have just one point and three goals to show from five matches.