Saints have been embroiled in their fair-share of drama over the past week and now their Premier League opponents on Saturday Sunderland look to be in the midst of a soap opera of their own.

According to reports around the Black Cats their director of football Roberto De Fanti has been sacked after the club’s dreadful campaign so far, which has left them in a fight for survival at the foot of the table.

The Italian, who was employed 10 months ago, was given the chop following some dreadful spending in the summer transfer window which has left them short of quality.

Of the 14 players he brought in few of them have been successes at the Stadium of Light.

Saints will meet Gus Poyet’s after a week of ups and down that has seen unease about the club’s future on many levels.