CONSIDERING Sunderland's plight, a good old-fashioned derby should have been just what they needed to spur them on.

But after another poor performance, all Saturday's defeat to Middlesbrough has done is further highlight the dire situation unfolding on Wearside.

It may hurt the Sunderland fans to hear this, but after this clash even they will have to admit that Steve McClaren's new look Boro are miles ahead of their North-East neighbours if you compare the quality of the two squads.

And the harsh reality for the Black Cats is that they were beaten convincingly by a Boro side who were only 14th in the Premiership before Saturday's game.

Sunderland boss Howard Wilkinson quite rightly pointed out ahead of the match that he always knew his hands were tied in the transfer market when he took over the reins.

And he would have loved to have gone out in the January sales and tried to boost his strugglers by adding players with the quality of Boro's two match-winners.

Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott arrived for £4m and both were leading lights against Sunderland - with the pair conjuring up the three goals between them.

But while the former Derby County duo hit the headlines after scoring their first goals for their new clubs, Sunderland must rely on what they already have at their disposal.

Wilkinson's men are too dependent on star striker Kevin Phillips. If he doesn't score Sunderland don't. That is largely how it goes.

Phillips, who scored another stunner against Boro, was up front alongside the disappointing Tore Andre Flo.

Flo is the club's record buy - £8.2m from Rangers - and that fee paid by former boss Peter Reid has been the main reason Wilkinson has had no money to transform his playing staff.

There are many players under-achieving at Sunderland and it is perhaps a little unfair to single out Flo.

But the Norwegian has been a massive flop since his arrival. If Sunderland are going to preserve their top-flight status then they need him to show the sort of form that persuaded Rangers to pay Chelsea £12m for his services.

The clearest indication of the crisis at Sunderland is the fans' reactions to the club they support.

And on Saturday the supporters proved it is not just expensive buys that can feel the brunt of the anger from the stands.

Michael Gray, who has not been at his best all season, was substituted with 18 minutes to go - a decision greeted by cheers from sections of the ground.

The Sunderland skipper has grown up on Wearside and seeing the club he supported as a boy propping up the table will hurt him as much as the fans.

But the supporters turned on him on Saturday, along with Kevin Kilbane.

The troubles run much deeper. Apparently the dressing room atmosphere was still buoyant before the Boro defeat.

However, this result is likely to have had a big effect on that feeling and Wilkinson and his right-hand man Steve Cotterill will have to work hard on picking the players up for a crucial period.

Sunderland now face Fulham, Bolton and West Ham. Three games which will almost certainly determine whether or not they have a chance of survival.

Many will already predict their survival fight is a lost cause. But Wilkinson and his players are adamant they can still get out of it. Worries on Wearside are growing stronger and stronger. But on Teesside you can't help but feel Boro are on the way up.

There is a new air of optimism following the arrivals of Christie, Riggott and Malcolm Christie - and with Juninho close to a comeback Boro could still claim their highest ever finish.