ANOTHER week to forget has left Chris Coleman admitting he knows why so many of his predecessors have been worn down by the Wearside challenge, even if the Sunderland manager firmly believes things will eventually come good.

Coleman has been a breath of fresh air since taking over from Simon Grayson in early November, and has delivered three victories during his time in charge as oppose to the one that was recorded from the opening 17 matches of the season.

But Sunderland’s injury-hit squad, lack of finance and quality in depth to deliver more consistency in terms of results has left them propping up the Championship with 19 matches remaining ahead of this afternoon’s visit of fellow strugglers Hull City.

The last eight days have been as frustrating as they have been for Coleman since taking over, with a 4-0 second half drubbing at Cardiff City followed by a week of disappointments on the transfer front.

He had hoped to have had Derby County striker Chris Martin involved today only to learn it was less likely following strong interest from Reading, Leeds and Norwich City. While that loan has not been completely ruled out, Coleman has already been unable to do deals for Liverpool’s Ben Woodburn and Stoke’s injured Jon Walters, among others.

Coleman, also keen on Middlesbrough's Ashley Fletcher, said: “Three points in football change your life, especially where we are. You're going to lose games but there's a manner in which you don't lose. The second 45 minutes against Cardiff – (to concede) 45 seconds into the second half, I swear. That led to the downfall of us but we've got another game coming up. Have we got the courage, have we got enough about us to put it right?

“As soon as you walk through the door here you feel the weight of this club – it's a big, big club. We all know the consequences when we walk in the job so you can't complain about it afterwards. I feel it, I do.

“As tough as it is, I still think it's do-able. We can turn it around, I still believe that. We need some help, but I still think we can turn it around and get it moving. We've started and stopped, started and stopped.

“There's a mountain of injuries and three games out of ten we’ve had men sent off, we've lost two of our experienced strikers – it's been one thing after another but that won't always be like that, I don't believe it will.”

While Sunderland must prove they are capable of recording three points, Coleman also knows the players he has at his disposal need help in terms of players; he only has 11 days to bring in new signings before the window closes.

He said: “The best chance we've got is to inject some new faces into the squad and get some confidence in our play, get a win – easier said than done – and start building on it, get some momentum. If we do that, we have a fantastic chance.

“Where we are at the moment is as low as we can be – bottom, lost players, loads of injuries, trying to sign players. How much tougher can it get? We're in the second half of the season. This is where we are, how do we build on that and get away from it? It's obvious to me what we do, doing it is another thing.”

Having only signed Jake Clarke-Salter on loan this month, and allowing James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban to depart, there is clearly an urgent need to get deals done – and it is not through players not wanting to come.

Coleman said: “I think people would be surprised how close we've been and the type of player. We haven't lost deals because players have said, 'No, we're not coming to Sunderland.' We've lost deals because players wanted to come – even in the situation we're in – but we can't get them out because the clubs they're playing for are not getting what they want in terms of other faces.

“In the past we've had to pay more to get players here but that hasn't been my struggle in the transfer window – and it's my first – the trouble has been getting players, freeing them up from their clubs. The clubs are all right with them coming here if they get what they want. That's been frustrating."

Sunderland do not have any injured players back into contention to face Hull, but they are without the suspended Didier Ndong. Marc Wilson is the latest to have been ruled out with an injury. The situation means Coleman can’t afford to lose more at this stage.

Coleman said: “I don't think they are (more close to leaving). Maybe one or two think they're close to leaving but unless it suits Sunderland, they won't be leaving.

“There's a certain way we need to do things. There's nobody doing us any favours so we shouldn't be doing anyone any favours either. Business is business and if it suits us, fine, but if it doesn't, it won't be happening.”