The midfielder struggled at both Birmingham City and Watford – so why would Sunderland give him a chance even if/when they are relegated?
When it was put to Sunderland manager David Moyes that he was preparing for life in the Championship next season, at least Black Cats supporters couldn’t accuse him of lacking fight on this occasion.
Emphatically refuting suggestions, as reported by The Chronicle, it’s just a shame that the increasingly wild-eyed Scot has only now discovered his self-belief, with Sunderland seven points adrift of safety.
If he’d talked with such ferocity and confidence back in August, rather than tipping his own club to struggle against the tide. Perhaps the Wearsiders would at least have the appetite for another great escape.
Yet, if recent transfer rumours are anything to go by, Sunderland are indeed accepting their fate.
The Chronicle claimed that Moyes had identified Hibernian’s 20-goal striker Jason Cummings as the ideal player to fire them back to the top flight.
Meanwhile, reports linking the club with the likes of Blackburn Rovers loanee Sam Gallagher (below) and Ipswich Town centre-back Adam Webster suggest that proven, second tier talents are being assembled to soften the blow of their impending fall.
And The Chronicle’s claims that The Black Cats sent scouts to watch Diego Fabbrini in action with Serie B outfit Spezia at the weekend will hardly set the supporters’ pulses racing.
The midfielder failed to fully convince during Watford’s wide-ranging 2013 recruitment drive and, during spells at Millwall, Birmingham and Middlesbrough, struggled to adapt to the rigours of English football.
Therefore, why Sunderland would be convinced that Fabbrini could make his mark even in the second tier next season is up for debate. Scoring just once in nine appearances for Spezia, it’s not as if he’s set the world alight in Serie B either.
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