10 Things Sunderland Must Do To Avoid Relegation

6. Drop Johnson If He Doesn't Fit The System

Here's one of the most controversial options to consider, but I feel like the time has come to drop Adam Johnson. There's no denying he's provided some incredible moments in big games, including several derby wins over Newcastle, but overall I'd have to say that Johnson hasn't lived up to what we expected of him when he first signed from Manchester City. Games largely bypass Johnson nowadays, while his goals and assists have really dried up without anybody really highlighting it. Sure, he has some quality passing the ball, but it's all-too-rare that he gets involved in games these days. There's a trial lingering over his head and once February comes around, you can expect Johnson to be excluded from games while the process is carried out. Sunderland have changed the system to accommodate Johnson and it's still not working. He's an impact sub, not a starter, and Sunderland will soon have to learn how to cope without him.