Sunderland legend Gary Bennett has this strong transfer message for Stewart Donald as he delivers his verdict on under-fire Phil Parkinson

After a disappointing start to his reign at the Stadium of Light, Parkinson is already plotting a busy January.

Indeed, Sunderland are believed to be targeting as many as five new additions during the winter window with attacking reinforcements top of Parkinson’s wishlist.

And while Bennett feels additions are needed, he feels the window will be deemed irrelevant if the Black Cats lose further ground in the race for promotion - with the Wearsiders already nine points adrift of the top two.

“People keep saying about how important January is, but we have to stay in the game until January,” said Bennett, speaking to the Echo.

“We need to stay in touch, and if you’re not in touch in January - no matter who you bring in - you’re not going to get to where you want to be.”

Sunderland splashed the cash during the last January window, with an initial fee of around £3million spent to bring in Will Grigg alongside Grant Leadbitter, Jimmy Dunne, Lewis Morgan and Kaz Sterling.

While similar expenditure is unlikely this time around, Bennett doesn’t necessarily believe that is a bad thing.

“It’s important that the owner does back the manager - but back him to what extent?,” he added.“They need to get the best players they can, but what kind of transfer budget do you need at this level?

“There are clubs in League One who haven’t spent any money, but they still bring in good players and have a good scouting system.

“They go round and some of these players are from non-league. They can cost nothing.

“He could go and send a message out and spend £500,000 on a striker or £2million on a wide player, or whatever it is.

“It’s okay spending it, but you have to make sure that if you spend that money then you get promoted.”

Sunderland are also likely to have to move players on during the January window.

That, says Bennett, could prove a real hindrance.

“If you’re going to get rid of a player at Sunderland, nine times out of ten they are on more money than most teams in League One,” he said.

“Even if they go to a Championship team, what sort of money are they going to get?

“It probably won’t be the same, so you’re talking about players having to take a drop in their wage.

“It won’t be as easy as what people think. It’s not just a case of bringing in four players and letting another four go.”

Parkinson has a clear mould of the player he wants to recruit during January, as he looks to transform the Black Cats into a side that can reflect his philosophy.

And change is needed quickly, with the 51-year-old having won just two of his opening 11 games after succeeding Jack Ross on Wearside.

It’s a run of form which has caused concern among some sections of the club’s support, and Bennett feels that - while a distinct style of play is yet to be established - the players need to take some of the criticism after some poor performances.

“I think looking at the first 11 games, you’re mostly questioning the performances,” he admitted.

“It’s not as though we’ve been pulling up trees or coming away from games think we’ve been unlucky - you might look at maybe the Shrewsbury game, but even that was only the last 15 or 20 minutes of the game.

“First of all, you’ve got to keep clean sheets. We’ve been saying this not just this season but last season.

“If you keep clean sheets, then one thing is for sure - you’re not going to get beat.

“If you can’t keep clean sheets, then that means at the other end you have to score one goal or more to stay in the game.

“When you look at the creativity, we haven’t created enough to win games.

“Do we look as though we’re going to score goals at times? We don’t.”

“From what we’ve seen already, I couldn’t tell you what the pattern of play is,” continued the former centre back.

“Are we going to play through midfield? Or play to Aiden McGeady’s feet? Or get Watmore in the game?“It just seems as though everything seems to be off the cuff. It’s like a gamble - that’s all it is, a gamble.

“The only time we look dangerous is when Denver Hume gets the ball. He gets the ball and brings a little bit more tempo into the game and goes past people. He’s direct and he causes one or two more problems.

“But if you take him out of the game, where else is that coming from?

“You’re just wondering where else we are going to cause problems because Aiden McGeady is finding it difficult to get into the game at the moment.”

There are mitigating factors of course, which have hindered Parkinson’s start.

“I think injuries haven’t helped.

“Obviously the way Phil Parkinson wants to play, he hasn’t had his main players available. He’s hanging his hat on Charlie Wyke coming back and with Lynden Gooch being missing as well he’s not been able to pick two key players.”

But the key question now for Parkinson is how he can develop the squad in January - and whether owner Donald heeds Bennett’s call for backing.