Even by his own standards of trademark negativity, Sunderland manager David Moyes has been demoralisingly downbeat in his assessment of what supporters might expect from the transfer window.
His first signing -- Joleon Lescott, a 34-year-old defender who last saw first team action more than three months ago -- does little to suggest the level of team strengthening needed to spur a rise from the foot of the Premier League.
#SAFC have signed @JoleonLescott on a short-term deal - https://t.co/Xpqt5GCenY pic.twitter.com/M1wn9Hqnkh
- Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) January 24, 2017
Lescott, who can play in central defence or at left-back, joins Sunderland on a deal until the end of the season.