The Black Cats boss has come in for criticism after suggesting they will be in a relegation battle this season.
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Sunderland defender Alan Stubbs has backed David Moyes following his relegation comments, saying he believes the Scot will do well in the North East.
Moyes took charge at the Stadium of Light this summer after Sam Allardyce departed to take the England job.
It has not been a good start for him, with a defeat on the opening day followed by another loss to Middlesbrough last weekend.
That defeat to Aitor Karanka’s side led to Moyes warning Black Cats fans that another relegation fight may be on the cards for them this season.
Sunderland manager David Moyes and Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
He has been widely criticised for those remarks but Stubbs has backed him, saying his former manager was just trying to be honest.
“I think when you look at David Moyes, he’s that type of manager when the chips are down he becomes his best,” he told talkSPORT.
“He’s very good organisation wise, he will make them [Sunderland] hard to beat. He was just trying to be honest. What you see is what you get. I’m sure he’ll do well at Sunderland.”
Sunderland manager David Moyes
Whether Moyes can be a success at Sunderland will likely be dependant on the work he can do in the remainder of the transfer window.
The squad needed additions before his arrival and so far his signings have largely been on players for the future rather than the established first team stars that are necessary.
More of those will be needed if they are to survive, especially following the departure of Younes Kaboul to Watford and it will be interesting to see how busy they are with so little time remaining.
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the match
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