Sunderland have a tough battle ahead in second half of the Premier League season. Currently in 19th place, they're a point behind safety.

If they're to avoid the drop they need a massive improvement. They've won just four of their twenty-one games this term, drawing another three for a points total of just fifteen.

David Moyes has struggled to get his team playing and that's never been more true than over the last month with the Black Cats failing to win their last six matches in all competitions.

An exit in the FA Cup to Burnley has only added to their woes and they must regroup now or face dropping into the Championship.

Is there hope for them? Can they turn this around? They certainly have some quality in their team so if they can make a few key changes then they have every chance.

Here are FIVE things they must do if they are to avoid relegation in May...

Keep Defoe

At times this season, Jermain Defoe has been the only thing keeping Sunderland going. His form for the Black Cats has raised speculation that he could be set for a move away from the Stadium of Light this January.

If that happens, we can't see any way Sunderland can avoid the drop. Moyes will know this and must be doing everything in his power to keep him at the club.

The former England international has scored 12 goals already this season, just a few behind the league's top scorers, who are playing for successful attacking teams in the top six of the table.

They say the only thing that keeps you up is goals and Defoe has plenty of them, regardless of how his teammates are playing.

Find a defensive partnership

Sunderland have failed to find a consistent defensive partnership this season that can keep out the opposition. With Lamine Kone in Africa on international duty, the problem is only heightened this month.

The Black Cats have only kept two clean sheets in their last 10 matches and are often starting games knowing they'll have to score a double to even have a chance of winning.

That can't continue and Moyes must find an answer across the backline whether from within the squad, from his options in the youth teams or in the transfer market.

If they continue to ship goals at the current rate they'll be playing in the Championship next season. Only Hull and Swansea have conceded more than them so far.

Add more creativity

With a striker of Jermain Defoe's quality leading their attack, Sunderland should really be scoring more goals. Only two teams, Middlesbrough and Southampton, have scored less than they have this season.

A large part of that is their lack of creativity. It says everything that the man with most assists in the team is Defoe himself, and he only has two.

The likes of Fabio Borini and Adnan Januzaj should really be contributing more. Moyes must get his team on the ball more in the final third to allow what little creative talent they have to conjure up more chances.

Defoe may be scoring plenty, but he can't keep doing it on his own.

Bring in competition for Mannone

The injury to Jordan Pickford has been a massive blow to the Black Cats. Since Mannone has come in, he's conceded 11 goals in 5 matches.

Pickford is likely to be out for the rest of January as well as February and that's too long to go without quality between the sticks. Whether it's a loan move or a permanent deal, Moyes needs to work his contacts like never before to add a presence at the back who can win points for Sunderland.

By the time Pickford is fully fit and able to play, it could be too late for their hopes of staying up.

Turn up at home

Sunderland's home form has been dismal this season but it's where recovery is most likely to come from. Eleven of their fifteen points this season have come at the Stadium of Light.

They've failed to win their last three matches at home though and they must start capitalising on the energy of the Black Cats supporters.

Results like the 3-1 loss in the latest home fixture against Stoke are simply unacceptable. A few more like that and even Sunderland's famous resilience in the latter stages of the season won't be enough to stop the inevitable.

Unfortunately their next set of home fixtures are as tough as they come with matches against Spurs, Man City and Southampton over the next 6 weeks.

Can they find the strength and pride needed to show they're no pushovers in their own manor?