WILL the signing of Jermain Defoe stop the rot at Sunderland? Can he keep the Black Cats out of the relegation battle come the end of the season?

I have been a Sunderland supporter for nearly 60 years and I am a bit pessimistic.

I just hope manager Gus Poyet changes his formation of playing just one up front. Defoe needs someone to play alongside him - Connor Wickham would be my choice.

We still lack a powerful creative midfielder to unlock the opposition's defence because, at the moment, our midfielders are too slow and ponderous.

Poyet's signings have mostly being failures. The likes of Gomex, Alverez and Rodwell are simply not good enough for the premiership. I just hope Defoe is a success and starts scoring a few goals. If not we are in for a tough end to the season.

Mick Peacock, Coxhoe.