From rock bottom to within sight of safety, Sunderland manager David Moyes no longer looks like a lame duck. Stories of a premature departure from the Stadium of Light have been shelved and, behind the scenes, Moyes has been appreciative of the patience shown in him by fans and local media alike.
The austerity of Moyes' early months in charge, in which Sunderland produced the all-time worst 10-game start to a Premier League season (just two points) has been loosening. Six points from their last two matches, winning 2-1 at Bournemouth before then crushing Hull City 3-0 last Saturday at home, has made relegation not nearly so inevitable.