Sunderland were in a difficult position going into the 2018/19 season. It was the dawn of their first season in the third-tier since 1987/88 having suffered back-to-back relegations, and everything at the club was new.
Stewart Donald had just taken over from Ellis Short and appointed Jack Ross, who had the unenviable task of overhauling much of the squad that had finished bottom of the 2017/18 Championship table.
In fact, there are no survivors from that team in the current squad, if you exclude youth players like Lynden Gooch and Denver Hume. The Black Cats brought in 12 senior players in the summer of 2018, and they have had varying success in the north-east.
Charlie Wyke was signed by Ross to complement Josh Maja after impressing for Bradford. In fact, such was his form for the Bantams that many Sunderland fans were gushing over his arrival.
Unfortunately for the striker he was unable to hit the ground running due to injury and by Christmas of 2018, he had made just three appearances for the club.
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He went on to score just four league goals in 24 games last year, but despite coming into 2019/20 raring to go he has also had a limited impact in front of goal.
A return of five goals in 27 league games this campaign has led to several calls from fans for the striker to be dropped, and he could be facing an uncertain future with his contract up at the end of the season.
For away day veterans only: Can you name all of these defunct stadiums?
He has therefore failed to live up to the billing of supporters who thought he could be the difference in achieving promotion for Sunderland.
Elsewhere, Sunderland fans have been engaged in a debate about who deserves to win their Player of the Year award…