It might even be funny if it wasn't so downright disheartening.

Against Everton yesterday we never looked like giving the Toffees a hard time, and again we got exactly what we deserved – nothing.

With time and games to turn things around fast running out, it seems like our fate will be in the hands of others.

Yes, there are still chances to get points on the board and climb the table, but can anyone other than the most optimistic of fans see that happening?

At the Stadium of Light yesterday we looked shot.

There was no real attacking flair, no idea how to create some, and real lack of belief that we could cause them problems.

The fans made their feelings known at both half-time and full-time, and it's hard to blame them.

But we have to move on and get behind them between now and the end of season, in the hope we can help to cheer them on to success somewhere down the line.

At the moment thought, that feels like a vain hope, particularly as the squad itself doesn't seem to share our belief that we can win a game between now and the end of the campaign.

It seems to be an unwritten rule that our beloved club must never do things the easy way.

And so, fans must continue to live with the agony and the uncertainty of whether or not their side will be able to escape from relegation.

If we do then it may well be down to the failings of others, rather than any success of our own.

Of course if any of the sides below manages to start winning games then we could be in very big trouble.

Speculation continued at the weekend over manager Ricky Sbragia's future at the club.

Reports suggest that both Louis van Gaal and former Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren have been lined up for the Black Cats hot seat.

Both of these suggestions could be wide of the mark, but given the choice I'd rather have the Dutchman in charge (and no that doesn't mean McClaren despite his dodgy attempts at a Dutch accent in certain TV interviews).

What doesn't look in doubt though is that Sbragia's spell in charge of the club could be a short one.

The Scot turned things around when he first took over at the helm – a move which saw him handed the job full-time – but it's been pretty much downhill ever since.

That can't be allowed to continue, and while he deserves thanks for having the bottle to take the job on, it's time to move on at the end of the current campaign.

Hopefully, when that comes we will still be in the top flight – not that you'd bet on it at the minute.