THE clocks had not yet gone back, Southampton were very much still finding their feet and it was far too early to draw any meaningful conclusions but the 5-0 hammering of Saints back in early September was an exciting glimpse of what Sunderland were capable of.

Russell Martin said his side were "hurting" after that defeat. Now, six months later, it's Sunderland who are enduring the pain of Championship purgatory. Any hopes of a top six finish have disappeared and the season can't end soon enough, though Mike Dodds' side need to ensure this losing stretch doesn't go on much longer and the gaps below don't start to close.

The run briefly looked set to come to an end after Sunderland's unlikely fightback at St Mary's on Saturday before Southampton flexed their muscle once more. Dodds was clinging to positives and claimed Sunderland matched Southampton for long stages, but Martin was the manager speaking more sense when he said: "I don't think anyone can watch that and say we didn't deserve to win."

Martin praised Sunderland afterwards but said "they've paid the price a bit with a lack of momentum with the managerial changes". That's being kind. As well as losing momentum, they've lost the feel-good factor from this time last year on the back of the two bodged head coach decisions in first sacking Tony Mowbray and then appointing Michael Beale.

READ MORE:

Dodds has had to pick up the pieces but a tough job has been made all the more difficult by the absence of key players - including their best in Jack Clarke - and a testing run of fixtures.

"There'll be loads of things I get asked around the football club that are not related to the pitch and I always say the easiest way to alleviate those things is win football games," said the interim head coach after Sunderland's latest defeat.

"We have to do our bit, myself and the players, we have to do our bit to try and help the football club as a wider business. At the moment that's not happening. I know that's not acceptable but at the same time, as I've said a thousand times, I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me.

"I don't think there's been a fair hand dealt in terms of the fixtures in relation to the squad selection but it is what it is. I think the group are all in and we'll keep working and trying to improve."

Dodds is right, he has been unlucky and Sunderland's current struggle is not at his door, though team selection is something he has to take responsibility for. Starting Mason Burstow and not starting Adil Aouchiche at Southampton was as baffling at full-time as it had been at 2pm.

It's the bigger picture that's more concerning for Sunderland, though. This current spell has done nothing to ease concerns about what life could be like without Jack Clarke should - as expected - the winger move on this summer.

And the head coach decision is one Sunderland's hierarchy simply must get right.

Dodds' focus must and will be on the remaining nine games, stopping the rot and trying to carry some positivity into the summer but if that's going to be the case then Sunderland need to improve on their Southampton showing.

Yes, the second half fightback showed spirit but it was a brief spell in a game otherwise dominated by the home side.

Stuart and Adam Armstrong scored the goals in the opening period, and although the latter's was controversial with Sunderland claiming he touched the ball twice from the penalty spot, the Black Cats were fortunate to only trail by two goals at the break.

Dodds said his team paid the price for moments when they "didn't commit" to the press and approach in the first half.

Romaine Mundle's deflected shot and Jobe Bellingham's stunner drew Sunderland level but the joy was short lived and Southampton substitute Joe Rothwell struck twice in three minutes.

"I'm super positive that at some point this is going to change for us," said Dodds, "but I need it to be sooner rather than later."