Michael Gray envisages back-to-back Sunderland relegations

Former Sunderland left-back Michael Gray says he can envisage "back-to-back relegations", following the sacking of manager Simon Grayson.

Sunderland dismissed Grayson on Tuesday night, moments after the side's 3-3 Sky Bet Championship draw with bottom side Bolton.

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Grayson's departure comes four months after he took over the Black Cats, who are second bottom on 10 points from a possible 45.

"I think the writing was on the wall, if I'm brutally honest with you. It has been on the wall since the first day of the season," Gray told Sky Sports News.

"If you bring in average players, you get exactly what's coming to you.

"They've got a squad of players that are frightened to play at the Stadium of Light.

"It's really bad times at the minute and I can see back-to-back relegations right now."

Grayson managed just one win from 15 league games, and Gray believes appointing a replacement may prove difficult.

"Who would want to take it? That's the question you've got to ask," he said.

"We've had experienced managers, we've had managers who have got great Premier League experience.

"I think the last person to get it right - and I can't believe I'm saying this - is probably Peter Reid.

"It needs for somebody to go into the club that knows it now, who knows how to get the best out of the players, and the players that he's got at his disposal right now simply aren't good enough.

"January can't come quick enough.

"I hope the chairman does put his hand in his pocket because the last thing that we need is to go down another league and have back-to-back relegations."