"?Sunderland have ignited fears of potential relegation by sacking a number of their staff, despite the Premier League season being just 10 games old.
The Black Cats are currently at the foot of the table, having failed to win any of their opening 10 fixtures and picking up just two points. The club look favourites for the drop, but have consistently proved doubters wrong by avoiding relegation after poor starts in previous seasons.
However, "?according to the Daily Mail, the club have already started to streamline staff at the club, with administration reasons being cited as the main cause for workers being laid off.
While there has been no official word from the Premier League club, staff fear the Stadium of Light side are resigned to relegation following their poor start to the season and have already begun cost-cutting for the Championship.
Sunderland were somewhat below average during their 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on Saturday, and were booed off by fans for failing to show any kind of fight on the pitch.
Long-serving members of staff have been informed they will be leaving the club, and a Daily Mail source has claimed the sackings are linked to the finances at the club.
"It's been ruthless and it seems to be linked to the financial situation," the source claims.
"There has been no official confirmation of why this has happened, but the worry among staff is that the club believe there is no chance of avoiding relegation and that they have started their cost cutting early. It's not great."
David Moyes has also admitted to swearing at a match official during Saturday's game, and could be handed a one-game touchline ban when his side face Bournemouth at the weekend.