Phil Smith: Bali Mumba's impending Norwich City move reflects failure of the Madrox era at Sunderland

That the Ellis Short era was coming to an end, and that the Black Cats ended on a high, allowed what should have been a desolate afternoon to have a more optimistic feel.

Caretaker boss Robbie Stockdale praised the youngsters who had stood up and delivered a win against the Champions.

Late in the game, John O'Shea signed off with a moment of class befitting the service he had given.

The Irishman was replaced by Mumba, a 16-year-old debutant and one of the most exciting talents in the club's academy.

O'Shea passed on the armband, a changing of the guard.

Mumba's rise in the following pre-season, and his assured display against Charlton Athletic on the opening day, felt like a symbol of where Sunderland were headed.

Hope of a fresh start and an exciting future.

Madrox talked up the academy, and even spoke about Borussia Dortmund in their first press conference.

Two years on, Mumba's departure will feel like an equally symbolic moment.

The departure of one of the academy's brightest hopes, the latest in a long list that has left the U18 and U23 in need of rebuilding almost from scratch.

As Sunderland move into an uncertain era after the COVID-19 crisis, there are few youngsters from the category one academy knocking on the door for first-team honours.

Two years on from the arrival of Madrox, optimism has given way to anger and frustration.

There is precious little to show for their time at the club.

A third season in League One, no sign of an overarching or coherent vision to recruitment.

Trust broken due to mixed messages on finances, and lofty promises that have never been matched.

A deal with Norwich City for Mumba is not yet finalised, but looks likely.

His progress has been mixed since his surge onto the scene in that summer of 2018, but his talent and reputation mean that he remains one of the club's biggest assets.

He will command a fee when there are not too many others who would do so.

The development of that side that toppled Wolves gives pause for thought.

Denver Hume has gone on to become one of Phil Parkinson's key players, a graduate with a bright future.

Though not involved that afternoon, Lynden Gooch will join him at the heart of the 2020-21 squad.

Elliot Embleton has featured little, but has been unlucky with injury this season and seems certain to get his chance whenever football returns.

Ethan Robson has never had a chance, though injuries have come at the worst time.

Joel Asoro commanded a good fee, Josh Maja's story does not need retelling.

Sunderland, though, have not had the fresh start that afternoon and the promises spoken in the months after suggested they might.

An opportunity to reset, refresh, strip back but rebuild, has been missed.

Perhaps most troublingly for the long-term, it is the next generation who have departed in significant numbers.

Sam Greenwood, Joe Hugill, Logan Pye, Luca Stephenson, Luke Hewitson, Morten Spencer are just some of the names to have moved up the pyramid.

Sunderland's status is unique, their academy a centre of excellence still producing superb players in the younger age groups.

Category One status was not designed with third-tier clubs in mind.

They have been acutely vulnerable as a result but Mumba's likely departure highlights just how far the balance has swung in the wrong direction.

There is no certainty for any of those who have left.

In time, the fees received may look like decent value in the odd case.

Even for the immensely talented Mumba, it has not been plain sailing in recent times.

While it would be difficult for any player to stand out in a side struggling as much as Sunderland's U23's, his best position remains uncertain after a long spell moving between central midfield and right back.

Rightly or wrongly, a sale would reflect the fact that he is not considered to be a first-team option at this stage.

He would move to Norwich with much to prove, but equally with every chance of doing so.

It will only take one of these players to be a success for Sunderland to have lost out on a small fortune.

Here is fan frustration with Madrox in a microcosm.

Even after Sunderland's fall through the divisions, it is a club still defined by short-termism.

Every club in the current climate will have difficult decisions to make, and those further up the pyramid will be eyeing opportunities everywhere they look.

Here is another reason why the departure like this will rankle, though.

Important and useful though the proceeds may be, any promise of much-needed funds will not be received well by fans while Madrox has a balance to the club still outstanding.

What the future holds for Mumba remains unclear.

He joins a club with an outstanding recent track record in developing young talent, with the stability and long-term vision that allows players to thrive.

Sunderland had a chance to go down that road, but it increasingly feels as if it has been lost.

That's why, if this departure goes through, it will rankle just a little more than most.

It's a vignette that captures a bigger and sadder story.

One that reflects the failure of the Madrox era, and underlines one of the many reasons why the time for change has come.

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