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David Moyes addresses relegation fears after Sunderland's slow start

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 5:00 AM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

David Moyes addresses relegation fears after Sunderland's slow start

Summary

David Moyes's tenure at Sunderland began under duress following two consecutive losses. On August 21, 2016, after a home defeat to Middlesbrough, he candidly acknowledged the club's position in a potential relegation battle. The atmosphere at the Stadium of Light was toxic, reflecting the supporters' dissatisfaction with a lack of reinforcements and poor performances. Despite new signings, only academy graduate Lynden Gooch stood out in the opening fixtures. Moyes's frank assessment came just two games into the season, sending a concerning message to fans and players alike.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Sunderland lost their second match of the season against Middlesbrough.
•Moyes took over as manager shortly before the season started.
•Only two matches in, Moyes admitted to facing a relegation struggle.
•The home crowd expressed significant discontent amid early season struggles.
•Lynden Gooch was noted as a standout performer among new signings.

Latest Updates

5:00 AMYahoo Sports — On This Day (21st Aug 2016): Moyes & The Sunderland Season That Started With A White Flag

What they're saying

"
After just two games, David Moyes was already talking about a relegation battle. Was his brutal assessment honest realism - or the first sign of Sunderland's season going badly wrong?
— Yahoo Sports

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