This feels like a make or break period for Sunderland.

Supposedly buoyed by the news that Stewart Donald would finally be relinquishing his majority stake of the Black Cats, they have failed to win since.

A defeat to MK Dons was followed by a pretty dismal draw with Doncaster last weekend and thus, Phil Parkinson is feeling the pressure again with his side five points off the top of the table.

In the grand scheme of things, that isn’t a huge amount, but it’s concerning that promotion once again is far from certain.

However, that pretty much sums up the state of the north-east side right now. Nothing is clear and real clarity has been lacking for a considerable period of time.

The thought of fresh faces, investment and ideas entering the football club, therefore, should have been seen as a blessing.

Nearly two weeks ago now it was reported that Donald had accepted a bid from a consortium led by Juan Sartori and Kyril Louis-Dreyfus to buy the club.

It will see Donald keep at least a 15% stake at the Stadium of Light but are their prospective owners set to follow in his footsteps? Unfortunately, it could already be the case.

This week it was reported by France Football, an outlet close to Dreyfus’ beloved Marseille, that he had yet to perform much due diligence.

As a consequence, the report states that he isn’t ‘really aware of the gravity of the economic situation’, citing the complicated finances at Sunderland.

One of the first things Donald and Charlie Methven had to do when they first arrived at Sunderland was to sort out and streamline the club’s cash flow.

In spending £4m on Will Grigg and continuing to pay Aiden McGeady £31k-a-week, they have failed to address some fundamental flaws in the sustainability of the football club.

If Dreyfus isn’t aware that these burdens are currently draining Sunderland then he is in for a real shock.

Add that to the fact that there is now a salary cap in the EFL and things get even tougher.

Sunderland’s prospective owners need to be sure of two things; that they can’t break the bank immediately and that things won’t be an easy ride.

This already feels like a lethargic takeover attempt. The Black Cats deserve better.

In other news, check out who we thought Sunderland's STAR man was against Doncaster...