"Usually when a manager leaves a team it's because he's underperformed - Mike Dodds left Sunderland to take on the managership of Wycombe Wanderers.

"I still think Regis Le Bris is fantastic, I'm sure the backroom team are great and I still think we've got a brilliant squad but when somebody has been there for four years and has been a really important and instrumental part to the club..."

With Sunderland's automatic promotion hopes taking a blow of late, Black Cats fan Helen discusses with former Sunderland defender Gary Bennett if the departure of assistant head coach Mike Dodds could be the reason for a dip in form.