Andy Reid signs for Sunderland in January 2008

Sunderland's opening day victory (albeit through a last minute goal) against Spurs may have ramped expectation up to unreachable levels for Roy Keane and co. but their performances since have verged between the sublimely poor and the ridiculous. Keane's baffling lack of anger and aggression on the touchline may indicate a new, calmer, more mature aspect to the Irishman's managerial personality but his over-reliance on Manchester United rejects and players on the periphery of the Republic of Ireland national squad surely can't indicate a lack of detailed player knowledge - can it?

Andy Reid's performances for Charlton Athletic in the Championship seemed to denote that the rotund little playmaker had finally found his level after the promise of his Nottingham Forest days was quickly forgotten following a "fish out of water" spell at Tottenham Hotspur but Keane obviously believes that the Premier League has yet to see the best of Reid. £4m of Sunderland's money duly winged it's way to London and another Irishman pitched his tent in the North East. Whether Reid is a signing to save Sunderland's season or a crafty early start on next season's promotion plans from Keane remains to be seen.