You have to feel sorry for David Moyes.

Just a few years ago deemed to have done a successful enough job at Everton to be deigned — by the main man himself no less — as the heir to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. And we all know what happened there.

Real Sociedad was an even bigger disaster (though looking back on his reign at Manchester United and what has happened since, the Scotsman perhaps has a point when he says he simply wasn’t given enough time).

His appointment at Sunderland seemed an astute one. A proven Premier League manager — Moyes achieved nine top 10 finishes in 11 seasons at Everton, including a remarkably consistent league run of sixth, fifth, eighth, seventh, seventh and sixth during it — he appeared to be a far better fit at Sunderland than at Old Trafford. He, of course, failed to win a trophy during his long spell at Everton, and as any Red Devil will tell you, appeared nowhere near adding to Ferguson’s admirable list of silverware in his short time at United.

Now, however, his Sunderland sit at the bottom of the table on two points — two points, at the beginning of November! — which, of course, is the worst start to a campaign by any Premier League side ever.

Despite recent assurances from CEO Martin Bain, a fellow Scotsman, that Moyes was always a long-term appointment, American owner Ellis Short has apparently already run out of patience and if Sunderland lose at Bournemouth — a side many tipped as relegation candidates but having an excellent second season under the impressive Eddie Howe — on Saturday will wield the axe.

Moyes himself has consistently — vehemently — insisted since the moment he arrived that Sunderland was a long-term job. That the rot had gone on for so long only root and branch reform could take the club forward. Little wonder, the cynics will say. Eleven years at Everton without a trophy, followed by short-term flops at the biggest club in the world then at Sociedad where it is claimed he never bothered to try and learn Spanish. Indeed, his predecessor at Goodison Park, Spaniard Roberto Martinez, suggested Moyes’ eleven years were mediocre and hinted such a long period at a club the size of Everton with nothing in the trophy cabinet was simply unacceptable.

The simple fact is that Sunderland have offered so little value to the Premier League for too long. Bar come the last few games of the season when somehow, miraculously, they seal a spot in the division for the next turgid campaign.

Bar 2010 when they finished 10th, Sunderland have never been above 13th since they were promoted back to the Premier League in 2007. The Black Cats’ last four league finishes are 17th, 16th, 14th and 17th. Lucky for some.

You have to feel sorry for Sunderland fans though.

Having a season ticket at the Stadium of Light must be akin to being forced to go and visit a set of turgid in-laws every other Saturday. Something you do out of duty and loyalty but get scant enjoyment from.

The large contingent of Sunderland fans — some of the most loyal, dedicated supporters in England — deserve so much better.

Sunderland have a massive decision to make. There’s no doubt the club fears a free fall akin to Leeds United if they go down. But … If they believe Moyes really is the long-term answer then they have a duty to support him, regardless. Look at Burnley. Went down with Sean Dyche but backed him to bring them back up. Rafa Benitez appears to be doing likewise at Newcastle.

Besides, what else are Sunderland going to do? Re-appoint Sam Allardyce? Now there’s a thought …

And finally ...

Interesting to note that the transfer fee of Manchester City’s two-goal hero against Barcelona Ilkay Gundogan is three million pounds less than the 24 million pound agent’s fee Manchester United gave Paul Pogba’s representative Mino Raiola.