Bardsley: Morale 'beyond dead' under Di Canio

The Italian's short stint was brought to an end in September following a 3-0 defeat to West Brom that left the club with just one point from their opening five Premier League fixtures.

Sunderland have improved under replacement Gus Poyet, with the club reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup, while a 4-1 demolition of Fulham on Saturday lifted them off the bottom of the table and just point adrift of safety.

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