Why Sunderland need Darren Bent to start scoring again if they're to have a Tweet in hell's chance of staying up

By Brian McNally

Published 11:04 05/03/10

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There's not even a tweet from the dejected Sunderland camp these days as their Premier League campaign disintegrates in spectacular fashion.

Even self-confessed Twitter-addict Darren Bent has abandoned the social networking site-where he boasted 40,000 followers- to concentrate on the job of finding the precious goals desperately needed to  prevent the Black Cats falling through the relegation trapdoor that claimed both Middlesbrough and Newcastle United last season.

Sunderland's mundane 0-0 draw with Fulham in their last home outing  confirmed what Stadium of Light fans have known for over three months- their team has forgotten how to win football matches.

The almost certain demotion of Portsmouth after their nine-point deduction for falling into administration  effectively means there are now  only two relegation slots to avoid.

But at the moment Sunderland are giving a passable impression of a side that is destined for the Championship.

Make absolutely no mistake about it their results since beating Arsenal in November represent relegation form.

On a disastrous run, which has seen them go from top six hopefuls to relegation contenders they have averaged just a point every two games.

The dramatic collapse of Sunderland is almost a carbon copy of last season when they were cock-a-hoop after beating deadly rivals Newcastle at the Stadium of Light before embarking on a dreadful run which first claimed manager Roy Keane.

And then it almost sunk Sunderland without trace as Keane's replacement, Rick Sbragia, managed to mastermind  just one win in their last 13 Premier League games.

Only the depressing ineptitude of North-East rivals Boro and Newcastle saved sorry Sunderland from the drop.

Sunderland and Bruce need to confront the reality of their situation over the next eleven matches.

They now have two crucial  home matches coming up against Bolton and Manchester City. They are massive games that can make or break  their Premier League future.

Six points would give them breathing space and a good chance of survival.

A return to the home form on the first half of the season would definitely do the trick but, sadly, it has disappeared just like their confidence.

The onus to win matches has again fallen on top scorer Darren Bent- as it has done for most of the season.

How Sunderland and Bruce need the refugee from Twitter to once again become a match-winning, big hitter.

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